United States Government
Designated Depository
Library of Washington Universi
St. Louis, Mo.
TZt/7
REPORT
OF THE
1)1 K EC TOR OF THE MINT
UPON THE
r^RODUCT ro]NC
OF THE
DURING THE
CALENDAR YEAR 1900.
WASHINGTON:
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE.
19 01.
Treasury Department,
Document No. 2259.
Director of the Minio
CONTENTS.
Letter of Transmittal
Part I :
Production of gold in the United States, 1900
Production of silver in the United States, 1900 ” ! !
Deposits and redeposits of gold '
Deposits and redeposits of silver
Coinage of the United States
Bars manufactured
Purchases of silver
Imports and exports of the precious metals
Movement of gold from the United States i
The market for silver in 1900 ' ”
Stock of money in the United States
Gold and silver used in the industrial arts
World’s industrial consumption of the precious metals ! . ! ]
World’s production of gold and silver in 1900
World’s coinage, 1898, 1899, and 1900
Rei>orts of the special agents of the Bureau of the Mint on the production
of the precious metals in 1900 in the several States and Territories
I. — Alaska j
II. — Arizona
III. — California
IV. — Colorado
V.— Idaho
VI. — Montana
VII— Nevada !”!””!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
VIII. — New Mexico
IX. — Oregon
X. — Southern Appalachian States
XI. — South Dakota
XII— Utah
XIII. — Washington
XIV. — Wyoming
Part II :
Production of gold and silver in foreign countries
Africa ] ! ! ! ]
Argentina
Australasia
Austria-Hungary
Belgium
Bolivia
Brazil
British India
British North America
Central America ”
Chile
China
Colombia ' _
East Indies
Ecuador ’
Finland
France
Germany
Page.
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25
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31'
32
33
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50
53
55
71
81
100
137
139
152
168
173
179
185
191
196
205
209
211
217
218
232
233
234
235
236
239
255
257
258
258
260
264
265
266
267
3
4
CONTENTS.
Part II— Continued. . ^ .
Production of gold and silver in foreign countries — Continued.
Great Britain
Greece
The Guianas
Italy
Japan
Korea
Mexico
Norway
Persia
Peru
Portugal
Russia
Servia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
Uruguay
Venezuela ^
Yukon (see British North America)
Page.
268
269
270
276
280
281
281
287
288
289
292
292
295
295
297
298
298
298
300
239
Part III. General Statistics:
Table I.— Deposits and purchases of gold and silver, by weight
n._Deposits and purchases of gold and silver, by value
III. — Deposits of unrefined gold of domestic production, by weight. .
IV. — Deposits of unrefined gold of domestic production, by value. ..
V.— Deposits of unrefined silver of domestic production, by weight.
Vi._Deposits of unrefined silver of domestic production, by value..
VII. — Bars manufactured, by weight
VIII. — Bars manufactured, by value
IX.— Recoinage of United States gold and silver coins, 1900
X.— Quantity and cost of silver used in the coinage of silver dollars.
XI. — Quantity and cost of metal obtained by transfer and purchase
for subsidiary coinage
XII. — Silver for subsidiary coinage
XIII. — Coinage of the United States during the calendar year 1900 . . .
XIV. — Assets and liabilities of mints and assay offices December 31,
1900
XV. — Unrefined domestic gold and silver bullion deposited at the
mints and assay offices to the close of the calendar year 1900.
XVI.— Production of gold and silver in the United States, annually,
from the organization of the Mint -
XVII.— Annual statement of Mr. Valentine of production of the pre-
cious metals in the United States ond Mexico - —
XVIII. — Highest, lowest, and average price of silver in London since
1833
XIX.— Ratio of silver to gold each year since 1687
XX. — Imports of gold and silver coin and bullion, by districte
XXI.— Imports of gold and silver coin and bullion, by countries
XXII. — Exports of domestic gold and silver -
XXIII. — Exports of foreign gold and silver
XXIV. — Recapitulation of imports and exports
XXV. — Coinage of nations, 1898, 1899, and 1900 — - -
XXVI.— World’s production of gold and silver, 1898, 1899, and 1900...
XXVII. — Coinages of the United States, by denominations and values,
since the organization of the Mint
XXVIII.— Fractional and subsidiary coinage since 1792
XXIX.— Production of gold and silver in the world since the discovery
of .i\.Tnonc3' •
XXX.— Coinages, by institutions, from organization of the Mint
302
304
306
306
308
308
310
310
312
314
315
316
318
320
322
322
323
327
327
328
330
332
334
336
337
338
341
341
342
344
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.
Treasury Department,
Bureau of the Mint,
Washington., D. C. , December' P, 1901.
Sir: I have the honor to hand you herewith my report on the pro-
duction of gold and silver in the United States and in the world for
the calendar year 1900, together with such information as to their
coinage and consumption as this Bureau has been able to gather. The
returns for this country have been carefully obtained through officials
and special agents of this Bureau, and the aggregate of precious metals
reported has been actually traced from production to market. The
figures are therefore conservative, but are believed approximately full.
The statistics for foreign countries are obtained from official sources
wherever governmental calculations are made, and where such returns
can not be nad the best obtainable estimates are given and the authority
stated.
Respectfully,
The Secretary of the Treasury.
5
Geo. E. Roberts,
Directoi^ of the Mint.
5
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I.
PRODUCTION, EMPLOYMENT, AND MOVEMENT OF GOLD AND SILVER
IN THE UNITED STATES, AND SURVEY OF THE WORLD’S
PRODUCTION OF GOLD AND SILVER IN 1900.
7
GENERAL REPORT.
PRODUCTION OF GOLD IN THE UNITED STATES, CALENDAR YEAR
1900.
The production of gold in the United States in the calendar year
1900 was estimated at 119,126 kilograms, or 3,829,897 ounces, line,
of the value of $79,171,000.
Australasia produced 110,591 kilograms, or 3,555,606 ounces, line,
of the value of $73,498,900.
The United States stands to-day as the greatest gold producer among
the nations of the world.
The production of 1900 was fully equal to the output of the Trans-
vaal in 1898, or that of Australasia in 1899, the largest ever reached
by either of those countries.
Next after these the main gold-producing countries follow: Canada
with 41,961 kilograms, valued at $27,880,500; Russia with 30,312 kilo-
grams, valued at $20,145,500; British India with 14,197 kilograms,
valued at $9,435,500; Mexico with 13,542 kilograms, valued at
$9,000,000; Africa with 13,048 kilograms, valued at $8,671,900; China
with 8,387 kilograms, valued at $5,574,400. Russia has changed
places with Canada, which is due both to an increase of the latter’s
production and a decline in the production of Russia.
The war in the Transvaal has for the time eliminated Africa as a
factor in the world’s production of gold.
The countries above named aggregate, in round figures, 351,000
kilograms, valued at $233,000,000, leaving 9 per cent to the remainder
of the world, of which somewhat over one-half, or about 6 per cent of
the world’s product, was furnished by Central and South America.
The distribution of the product by political divisions gives the first
place to Great Britain with her colonial empire, which produced in
1900, exclusive of African possessions, approximatelv 171,000 kilo-
grams, of the value of $113,000,000, which was a slight increase over
the product of the previous year and amounted to 44 per cent of the
world’s production. The United States comes next with 31 per cent,
that is, more than all the rest of the countries of the world. Together
Great Britain and the United States control directly over three-quar-
ters of the world’s gold product.
The production of gold in the United States continued growing in
1900, outrunning by $8,000,000 (in round figures) the output of the
preceding year, which had been the largest in the history of gold
mining in this country. The increase is due principally to Colorado,
Alaska, and Arizona, which had showed increases in the preceding
year as well. Increases also took place in California, which more
than made up for the decrease of the former year, in Utah, Oregon,
New Mexico, and some of the minor producing States of the United
States. The greatest relative increase, amounting to 63 per cent, is
noticed in Arizona; next after that follow Alaska with 49 per cent and
9
10
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
New Mexico with 42 per cent. Decreases of less than 10 per cent are
reported from South Dakota, Nevada, Idaho, and Montana; decreases
are further reported from the Carolinas, Texas, etc. , where the produc-
tion of gold is insignificant, amounting in all, in 1900, to $190,800, or less
than one-fourth of 1 per cent of the total output of the United States.
In estimating the gold yield of the United States in any given year
only that gold is looked upon as really produced that has been refined,
made ready for the market, and the ascertained amount of domestic
origin (which is comparatively insignificant) that has been exported to
foreign countries for reduction.
It has been the custom of the Bureau of the Mint to make for ever}^
calendar year two independent calculations of the gold product of the
country, and to take their mean as the closest approximation that can
be had to the actual output of the mines. The first of these is based
on the amount of gold put upon the market by private refineries dur-
ing the 3^ear, plus the fine gold contained in the unrefined of domestic
production deposited at the mints and assa}’’ offices of the United
States, plus the pure metal of domestic production contained in ores,
copper matte, etc. , exported to other countries for reduction. The
second calculation is based on the known disposition made of the newly
produced gold in any calendar year. Such gold is either deposited at
the mints and assay offices of the United States, or exported from the
United States in form of bullion, ores, or copper matte, or used in
the industrial arts. If foreign gold bullion enters into aii}^ of the
above items, its amount must of course be deducted.
Put in tabular form, the first calculation of the gold product of the
United States in the calendar }^ear 1900, assumes the following shape:
Approximate Gold Product of the Mines of the United States during the
Calendar Year 1900.
Items reported for 1900.
Fine ounces.
Domestic product in fine gold bars, reported by private refineries
2, 691, 646
1,131,926
3,383
Unrefined" gold of domestic production deposited at the mints and assay ottices
Domestic gold contained in ores, copper matte, etc., exported for reduction
Total :
3,826,954
The second calculation of the gold yield of the mines of the United
States in the calendar year 1900, reduced to a table, is as follows:
Approximate Disposition of the Gold Proddct of the Mines of the United
States during the Calendar Year 1900.
Disposition.
Fine ounces.
Bullion deposited at the mints and assay offices classified as of domestic production. . .
Less refinery bars deposited and reported to this Bureau as from old material
4, 579, 960
80, 149
Net new material deposited
4,499,811
6, 696
3,883
51,255
Domestic bullion other than United States Mint or as.say-office bars exported from the
United States
Domestic gold in ores, copper matte, etc., exported
Bullion of domestic produ'ction reported by private refineries in the United States as
having been made into bars for manufacturers and jewelers for use in the industrial
Total
4, 560, 145
727, 326
Deduct foreign bullion reported to the Bureau of the Mint by private refineries in the
United States as contained in their product of fine gold bars depo.sitcd at the mints
and a.ssay offices or entered at the custom-houses for exportation as of domestic pro-
duction, but derived from foreign ores
Net total
3, 832, 819
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
11
The variance between the results of these calculations — 5,865
ounces — is only 0.15 per cent, which is generally considered in statis-
tics an exceedingly close approximation to the actual hgures.
The average — 3,829,897 ounces, or 119,126 kilograms, fine, of the
value of $79,171,000 — may be taken as representing the actual output
of the mines of the country.
The gold production for 1899 and 1900, with the increases and
decreases in the various States and Territories, was as follows;
Table Showing the Product op Gold in the Several States and Territories
IN 1899 AND 1900 AND THE INCREASE OR DECREASE OF THE PRODUCTION OP EaCH
IN THE Latter Year.
State or Territory.
Alaska
Arizona
California
Colorado
Georgia
Idaho
Michigan
Montana
Nevada
New Mexico . ..
North Carolina.
Oregon
South Carolina.
South Dakota . .
Texas
Utah
Washington
Alabama
Maryland
Minnesota
Tennessee
Vermont
Virginia
Wyoming
Maine
Missouri
Total
Nerincrease
Value.
1899.
1900.
$5, 459, 500
$8, 171,000
2,566, 100
4, 193, 400
15, 197,800
15, 816, 200
25,982,800
28,829,400
113,000
116, 700
1,889,000
1, 724, 700
100
29,000
4, 760, 100
4, 698, 000
2,219,000
2,006,200
584,100
832,900
34,500
28,500
1, 429, 500
1, 694, 700
160, 100
121,000
6,469,500
6,177,600
6,900
1,100
3, 450, 800
3,972,200
685, 400
718, 200
45, 200
40,200
71,053,400
79, 171,000
Increase.
«2, 711, 500
1, 627, 300
618, 400
2, 846, 600
3,700
28,900
248, 800
’m,'2o6'
521, 400
32,800
8.904.600
8. 117. 600
Decrease.
$164, 300
62,100
212,800
6,000
39, 100
291,900
5,800
5,000
787,000
3,829,897 fine ounces.
PRODUCTION OF SILVER IN THE UNITED STATES, CALENDAR YEAR
1900.
The United States has regained the first place as a silver producer.
In 1900 it produced 1,793,395 kilograms, fine, with a commercial value
of $35,741,100; next came Mexico, with 1,786,887 kilograms, fine, of a
commercial value of $35,611,400. Together they produce two-thirds
of the world’s product?— about one-third each. No other country
approaches them, the nearest being Australasia, with 415,000 kilograms;
Bolivia, with 310,000 kilograms, and Peru, with 227,000 kilograms.
Of European silver-producing countries German}^ deserves notice, with
168,000 kilograms. The four countries named produced together
somewhat over one-fifth of the world’s production, leaving about one-
eighth to all other countries of the world.
12
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
Geographicallj’^ the world’s output of silver in 1900 was distributed
as follows:
Continent.
Americas (North, Central, and South)
Europe
Australasia
Asia
Total
Weight.
Commercial
value.
Per cent.
Kilograms.
4, 477, 000
S89, 200, 000
83
427,000
8,500,000
8
416,000
8,300,000
8
58,000
1,200,000
1
5,377,000
107, 200, 000
100
The percentages are identical with those obtained for the production
of 1899.
This table shows that silver is to-day substantially an American
product, tive-sixths of all silver produced in 1899 having come from
J^orth, Central, and South America. Europe and Australia produced
8 per cent each. Africa produced no silver. The total silver product
of Asia is unknown. All silver produced in China stays at home and
does not figure in the world’s market.
The silver product of the United States in any given calendar year
is estimated in precisely the same manner as the gold product, namel}^,
by making two independent calculations of the same and taking their
mean as the actual product.
Approximate Silver Product of the Mines of the United States during the
Calendar Year 1900.
Items reported for 1900.
Fine ounces.
Domestic product in fine silver bars reported by private refineries
57,067,890
404, 676
831,863
Unrefined* silver of domestic production deposited at the mints and assay offices
Domestic silver contained in ores, copper matte, etc., exported for reduction
Total
68,304,429
The second calculation, or disposition of the silver }deld of the
mines of the United States in the calendar 3''ear 1900, is as follows:
Approximate Disposition of the Silver Product of the Mines of the United
States during the Calendar Year 1900.
Disposition.
Fine ounces.
Bullion deposited at the mints and assay olfices classified as of domestic production...
Domestic bullion, other than United States mint or aasay office bars, exported from
the United States as per custom-house returns
Domestic silver in ores, copper matte, etc., exported
Bullion of domestic i>roduction reported by private refineries in the United States as
having been made into bars for manufacturers and jewelers, for use in the indus-
trial arts
Total
Deduct decrease in the approximate stock of Silver bars, exclusive of any
bars bearing the .stamp of a United States mint or assay office in the
United States, held by the Mercantile Safe Deposit Company and other
institutions at the close of the calendar year 1900, according to informa-
tion furnished the Bureau of the Mint fine ounces.. 49,823
Deduct foreign bullion reported to the Bureau of the Mint by private re-
fineries in the United States as contained in their product of fine silver
bars deposited at the mints and assay offices, or entered at the custom-
houses for exportation as of domestic production but derived from foreign
ores fine ounces.. 49,696,925
3, 628, 161
95, 059, 783
831, 863
7,116,523
106, 636, 320
49,646,748
Net total
66,989,572
PRECIOUS METALS IT^ THE UNITED STATES.
13
The average of these results, 57,647,000 ounces line, of the commer-
cial value of $85,741,140 and a coining value of $74,583,495, repre
seating 1,793,395 kilograms, line, is the estimated yield.
The export figures for this 3^ear contain for the first time the fine
weight of silver oullion as reported by the shippers, whereas in former
years the invoiced values alone were reported, from which the fine
weight was calculated upon the average London quotation for the
year. This ought to insure greater accuracy of results. A compar-
ison of the figures for this and the preceding year fails to disclose,
however, any material diflerence in the degree of approxiniation of
the estimated output. The difference between the two estimates for
1900 amounts to 1,314,857 ounces, whereas for 1899 it was 1,462,001
ounces, being 2.3 per cent of the total for 1900 and 2.7 per cent for
1899. This shows that the calculations made in former years at this
Bureau secured practically as good results as could be obtained from
customs returns. The divergence is apparently due to the preponder-
ance of export figures in the second calculation, as well as to the
prominent part of silver imports in the total product, operated upon
by private refineries.
Now, it is a familiar fact that statistics of imports and exports between
any two given nations can not be made to agree. In the present case,
moreover, the exports of 1900 must needs contain a part of the product
of 1899, and some part of the foreign bullion contained in the silver
bars deposited at the mints and assay offices in the course of the cal-
ender year 1900 must have been on hand at the refineries on the 1st
of Januaiy, 1900, and thus belongs to the product of 1899. A pos-
sible error of less than 3 per cent is inevitable under the circumstances.
The production of silver in the United States has been steadily
increasing within the last four years, as seen from the following table:
Year:
1897
1898
1899
1900
Fine ounces.
53, 860, 000
54, 438, 000
54, 764, 000
57, 647, 000
The increase in 1900 was the largest in years, amounting to 2,882,500
fine ounces. This result is due to a revival of silver mining in Idaho,
Utah, Arizona, Nevada, and South Dakota, the relative increases in
these States being as follows:
Per cent.
South Dakota 268
Arizona 90
Idaho 67
Nevada 61
Utah 30
While these increases were to a great extent offset by decreases in
Colorado and Montana, yet relatively the production of these two
States was but little aff ected, the decrease amounting to 9.6 per cent
in Colorado and 11.8 per cent in Montana.
14
PEECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
Details of the silver production of the United States are found in
the following table:
Table Showing the Product of Silver in the Several States and Territories
IN 1899 AND 1900 AND THE INCREASE OR DECREASE OP THE PRODUCTION OF EaCH
IN THE Latter Year.
Weight.
State or Territory.
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
California
Colorado
Georgia
Idaho
Michigan
Montana
Nevada
New Mexico
North Carolina
Oregon
South Carolina
South Dakota
Texas
Utah
Washington
Wyoming
Maryland
Virginia
Maine
Missouri
Total
Net increase
1899.
1900.
Increase.
Decrease.
Pine ounces.
100
Pine ounces.
100
Pine ounces.
Pine ounces.
140, 100
1,678,300
824, 300
22,662,900
400
73,300
2, 995, 500
941,400
66,800
1,417,200
117, 100
20, 483, 900
400
2, 179,000
3,861,800
112,800
16,096,000
843,400
603,300
300
6,429,100
102,000
14, 195, 400
1, 358, 700
434,300
2, 677, 300
10,800
1,900,600
615,300
69,000
11,200
115,400
400
10,900
134,300
400
18,900
146,600
520.000
7,093,300
266.000
400
536,200
477, 400
390,600
42,600
9, 267', 600
224,500
200
2, 174, 300
31,500
200
100
100
100
100
600
600
100
100
64, 764, 600
67,647,000
7, 202, 700
2,882,500
4,320,200
111 addition to the above sources of information this Bureau has, for
a number of years, been collecting statistics of mining production
through special agents located in the several States and Territories.
The following table is a summary of their reports, which are aopended
in another part of the present report:
Product of Gold and Silver in the Individual States and Territories, Re-
ported BY Mint Officers and Agents, for the Calendar Year 1900.
State or Territory.
Gold.
Silver.
Total value
(commer-
cial value,
silver).
Fine
ounces.
Value.
Fine ounces.
Coining
value.
Commercial
value.
Alabama
127
82, 618
50
865
831
82, 649
Alaska
396,039
8, 166, 187
74,818
96, 735
46, 387
8,212,574
Arizona
205,694
4,250,000
4,250,000
6, 494, 949
2, 635, 000
6,885,000
California
767, 390
16, 863, 355
1,168,157
1,510, 344
724,257
16, 587, 612
Colorado
1, 396, 657
28, 869, 392
20, 881, 983
26, 998, 928
12, 946, 829
41,816,221
Georgia
6,024
12r4,528
489
632
303
124, 831
Idaho
100, 526
2, 078, 036
6,550,118
8, 468, 8;i9
4,061,073
6, 139, 109
Maryland
19
392
2
2
1
393
Michigan
1,401
28, 961
102,042
131,933
63, 266
92, 227
Montana
229,116
4,736,226
14, 294, 835
18, 482, 211
8, 862, 798
13, 599, 023
Nevada
97,901
2, 023, 803
1, 493, 566
1,931,075
926,011
2, 949, 614
New Mexico
42, 768
88-1,088
629, 619
684, 760
328, 364
1, 212, 452
North Carolina
2,160
44, 653
12, 364
16, 986
7. 666
52, 319
Oregon
83,687
1,727,892
132, 042
170, 721
81,866
1,809, 768
South Carolina
5,934
122, 657
391
606
242
122, 899
South Dakota
300, 956
6,221,288
568, 903
722, 622
346, 620
6,567,808
Tennessee
15
310
1
1
1
311
Texas
53
1,096
477, 400
617,244
295,988
297,084
Utah
195, 223
4,035,610
9,381,684
12,129,854
5, 816, 644
9, 852, 264
Virginia
172
3,658
96
124
57
3,615
Washington
35, 432
732, 437
302,570
391,201
187,593
920,030
Wyoming
1, 653
84,171
266
331
159
34,330
Total
3, 867, 644
79,951,267
60, 211, 386
77, 849, 063
37,331,066
117,282, 313
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
15
The total product of the precioiia metals reported by mint officers
and agents in the foregoing table somewhat exceeds either of the
above calculations of this Bureau, the ditlerence between this total and
the lower of the two estimates being 1.06 per cent for gold and 5.66
per cent for silver. A ditlerence between the two sets of figures is
natuially to be expected, inasmuch as they do not relate to the same
thing, the figures reported by mint officers and agents representing
the estimated fine contents of the ore, whereas the estimates of this
Burwiu deal with the finished product only. That the calculations of
this Bureau, nevertheless, approximate very closely the results obtained
from the mines by mint officers and agents in the several States and
Territories vouches for the practical accuracy of the estimates.
TTe following table gives the weight and value of the finished product,
by States, as estimated at this Bureau:
Approximate Distribution by Producing States and Territories of the Product
OF (jrOLD AND SiLVER IN THE UNITED STATES FOR THE CALENDAR YeAR 1900.
[As estimated by the Director of the Mint.]
State or Territory.
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
California
Colorado
Georgia
Idaho
Maryland
Michigan
Missouri
Montana
Nevada
New Mexico . . .
North Carolina
Oregon
South Carolina
South Dakota . .
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Virginia
Washington
Wyoming
Total
Gold.
Silver.
Total value
Fine ounces.
Value.
Fine ounces.
Coining
value.
Commercial
value.
(silver at
commer-
cial value).
92
395, 271
202,856
765, 109
1,394,622
5, 644
83,433
5
$1,900
8,171,000
4,193,400
15, 816, 200
28, 829, 400
116, 700
1, 724, 700
100
100
73,300
2, 995, 500
941, 400
20,483,900
400
6,429, 100
$129
94, 772
3, 872, 970
1,217, 166
26, 484, 234
617
8, 312, 372
$62
45, 446
1,857, 210
683, 668
12,700, 018
248
3, 986, 042
$1,962
8,216,446
6,050, 610
16,399,868
41,529,418
116, 948
6, 710, 742
IDO
1,403
33
29,000
700
102,000
131, 879
63, 240
92,240
700
227, 266
97,050
40, 292
1,379
81, 980
5,854
298,842
5
4,698,000
2, 006, 200
832,900
28,500
1, 694, 700
121,000
6,177,600
100
14, 195, 400
1,358,700
434, 300
11,200
115, 400
400
536, 200
18, 353, 648
1,756,703
561,519
14, 481
149, 204
517
693, 269
8, 801, 148
842, 394
269, 266
6,944
71,648
248
332, 444
13, 499, 148
2, 848, 694
1, 102, 166
35, 444
1, 766, 248
121,248
6, 510,044
IDO
53
192,155
155
1,100
3, 972, 200
3,200
477,400
9, 267, 600
617, 244
11,982,351
295,988
5, 745, 912
lUl/
297,088
9, 718, 112
34,743
1,655
718, 200
34,200
224,500
200
290,263
258
139, 190
124
857,390
34,324
3,829,897
79, 171, 000
57, 647, 000
74,533,495
35, 741, 140
114,912, 140
The sources of the production of gold and silver in the United
btates, compiled from the reports made by mint officers and ag-ents
are given in the following table: ’
Distribution of the Gold and Silver Product of the United States for the
Calendar Year 1900 as to Sources of Production.
[As reported by mint oflacers and agents.]
State or Territory.
Gold.
Silver.
Quartz.
Placer.
Quartz.
Lead ores.
Copper ores.
Alabama
Fine ounces.
62
101,096
196, 494
607, 485
Fine ounces.
65
293, 944
9, 100
159, 905
Fine ounces.
50
74,818
2,671,977
614, 412
Fine ounces.
Fine ounces.
Alaska
Arizona
225, 732
64,713
i,452,29i
499,032
California
16 PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
Distribution of the Goid and Silver Product of the United Statis for the
Calendar Year 1900 as to Sources of Production— Continued.
state or Territory.
Colorado
Georgia
Idaho
Maryland
Michigan
Montana
Nevada
New Mexico
North Carolina
Oregon
South Carolina
South Dakota..
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Virginia
Washington . . .
Wyoming
Total
Gold.
Quartz.
Fine ounces.
1,361,643
4,635
56,804
10
1,401
202,406
96,911
39, 140
888
68, 319
5,628
300,955
53
195,223
78
30, 664
3, 269,794
Placer.
Fine ounces.
34, 914
1,489
43,721
9
26,709
990
3, 628
1,272
15,268
306
15
94
4,768
1,653
597, 850
Quartz.
Fine ounces.
4,802,856
489
1,021,163
2
2,836,948
1,126,000
139, 619
12, 364
79,668
391
568,903
1
477,400
2, 027, 038
96
154,270
256
16, 496, 711
Silver.
Lead ores, Copper ores.
Fine ounces.
» 16, 079, 127
» Lead and copper ores.
5,528,965
2,134,802
368,666
90,000
62, 374
5,912, 184
146, 300
Fine ounces.
30, 592, 763
102,042
9,324,085
300,000
1,442,462
2,000
13, 121, 912
As seen from the foregoing table, Alaska furnishes nearly one-half
of all the placer gold and California more than one-fourth; nearly
three-fourths of Alaska gold is placer gold; placer mining is of con-
siderable relative importance in Idaho. On the whole, however, quartz
mining predominates in the United States.
With regard to silver, on the contrary, quartz mining occupies, on
the whole, the second place. Of the main silver-producing States and
Territories, only Arizona, Nevada, and California show preponderance
of quartz mining; copper mining as a source of silver production
predominates only in Montana.
On the whole, the first place is held by the product from lead ores.
In the table next below the results of the year 1900 are compared with
former years; as seen from this table, the distribution of the silver
product among the several sources of production remained in 1900
practically stationary :
Source.
1891.
1897.
1898.
1899.
1900.
Per cent.
49.2
40.6
10.2
Per cent.
21.8
67.5
20.7
Per cent.
24.7
56. 2
19.1
Per cent.
28.0
61.1
20.9
Per cent.
27.4
50.8
21.8
Copper bullion
Tntnl
100
100
100
100
100
The annual production of gold and silver from the mines of the
United States since 1860 is shown in the following table;
(The commercial value of the silver product is reckoned at the aver-
age yearly market price of silver and its coining value in United States
dollars.)
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
17
Pkoduct of Gold and Silver from Mines in the United States since 1860.
[The estimate for 1860-1872 is by R. W. Raymond, commissioner, and since 1872 by the Bureau of the
Mint.]
Calendar year.
Gold.
Silver.
Fine ounces.
Value.
Fine ounces.
Commercial
value.
Coining
value.
1860
2,225, 250
$46,000,000
116, 016
8157, 000
8150,000
1861
2,080, 125
43,000,000
1,646,876
2, 062, 000
2,000,000
1862
1,896,300
39,200,000
3,480,469
4,685,000
4,600,000
1863
1,935,000
40,000,000
6, 574, 219
8,842,000
8, 500, 000
1864
2, 230, 088
46,100,000
8,507,812
11,443,000
11,000,000
1865
2,574,759
53,225,000
8, 701, 171
11,642,000
11,250,000
1866
2, 588, 063
53,600,000
7, 734, 375
10,366,000
10, 000, 000
1867
2, 502, 197
51, 725, 000
10, 441,406
13,866,000
13, 500, 000
1868
2, 322, 000
48,000,000
9,281,260
12, 307, 000
12,000,000
1869
2, 394, 563
49,500,000
9,281,250
12,298,000
12, 000, 000
1870
2,418,750
50,000,000
12,375,000
16, 734, 000
16, 000, 000
1871
2, 104, 313
43, 500,000
17, 789, 062
23, 678, 000
23, 000, 000
1872
1,741,600
36, 000, 000
22,236,328
29,396,000
28, 750, 000
Total
29,012,908
599,760,000
118, 065,232
157, 366, 000
152,650,000
1873
1,741,500
36, 000, 000
27,650,000
35,890,000
36, 760, 000
1874
1,620,563
33,500,000
28,849,000
36, 869, 000
37,300,000
1875
1, 615, 725
33,400,000
24, 618, 000
30, 649, 000
31,700,000
1876
1, 930, 162
39,900,000
30,009,000
34,690,000
38,800,000
1877
2,268,788
46,900,000
30, 783, 000
36, 970, 000
39,800,000
1878
2, 476, 800
51, 200, 000
34,960,000
40,270,000
45,200,000
1879
1,881,787
38,900,000
31,560,000
36, 430, 000
40,800,000
1880
1, 741, 600
36,000,000
30,320,000
34, 720, 000
39,200,000
1881
1, 678, 612
34, 700, 000
33, 260, 000
37,860,000
43,000,000
1882
1, 572, 187
32,500,000
36,200,000
41, 120, 000
46,800,000
1883
1,451,250
30,000,000
35,730,000
39, 660, 000
46, 200, 000
1884
1,489,950
30,800,000
37,800,000
42,070,000
48,800,000
1885
1,538,326
31,800,000
39,910,000
42,500,000
51,600,000
1886
1,693,125
35,000,000
39, 440, 000
39,230,000
51, 000, 000
1887
1,596,375
33, 000,000
41,260,000
40, 410,000
53, 350, 000
1888
1, 604, 841
33,176,000
45, 780, 000
43,020, 000
59, 195, 000
1889
1,587,000
32,800,000
60,000,000
46, 750, 000
64,646,000
1890
1,588,880
32,845,000
54,500,000
57,225,000
70, 465, 000
1891
1,604,841
33,175,000
68, 330, 000
67, 630, 000
75, 417, 000
1892
1,596,375
33,000,000
63, 500, 000
65, 563, 000
82, 101, 000
1893
1, 739, 323
35, 955,000
60, 000, 000
46, 800, 000
77,576,000
1894
1,910,813
39, 500, 000
49,500,000
31,422,000
64,000,000
1895
2,264,760
46,610,000
55, 727, 000
36,445,000
72, 051, 000
1896
2,568,132
53, 088, 000
58, 835, 000
39, 655, 000
76, 069, 000
1897
2, 774, 935
57,363,000
53,860,000
32, 316, 000
69, 637, 000
1898
3, 118, 398
64, 463, 000
54,438,000
32,118,000
70, 384, 000
1899
3, 437, 210
71,053,000
54, 764, 000
32, 859, 000
70, 806, 000
1900
3,829,897
79,171,000
57,647,000
36, 741, 000
74, 633, 000
Total
65,912,054
1,155,798,000
1,219,120,000
1,116, 772,000
1, 576, 180, 000
Grand total
84, 924, 962
1,756,548,000
1, 337, 186, 232
1,273,138,000
1, 728, 830, 000
Tables showing the product of gold and silver from mines of the
United States since 1792 will be found in the Appendix.
DEPOSITS OF GOLD.
The deposits of gold at the mints and assay offices during the calendar
3^ear 1900 contained 7,646,165 line ounces of the value of $158,060,257,
an increase of $28,261,475 over the value of deposits reported for 1899.
The deposits of domestic bullion contained 4,579,960 fine ounces, of
the value of $94,676,174.
For convenience of the Bureau the domestic bullion has been classi-
fied as unrefined, refineiy bars, and refined bullion; unrefined being
bullion received direct from the miners in its crude state, refinery
bars (less than 0.992 in fineness) and refined bars (0.992 and over in
12066— 01 2
18
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
fineness) being the product of certain smelters, refineries, cyanide,
and chlorination works deposited at the mints and assay offices.
The deposits and transfers of mutilated and uncurrent domestic
gold coin amounted to 63,902 fine ounces of the value of $1,270,982,
of which amount $731,549 were received from the Treasury and
$589,433 were deposited at the mints by private individuals.
The deposits of foreign gold bullion contained 1,293,704 fine ounces
of the value of $26,743,237, of which $23,769,919 represents the value
of deposits of unrefined and $2,973,318 value of refined bullion reported
to have been received from the countries named in the following
statement:
Deposits of Foreign Gold Bullion.
Country of production.
UNREFINED.
British Columbia
Northwest Territory
Ontario and Quebec
Nova Scotia
Manitoba
Winnipeg
Ottawa
Canada — unknown locality
Mexico
Cuba
Porto Rico
Santo Domingo
Central America
South America
Japan
China
Korea
Syria
South Africa '
Philippine Islands
Unknown
Total
England
REFINED.
Fine ounces.
Value.
76, 991
»1, 591, 545
858, 573
17, 748, 279
25, 403
525, 126
29, 444
608,662
157
3, 246
52
1,075
28
579
175
3,617
106, 547
2, 202, 522
28
579
242
5, 002
98
2, 026
24,088
497, 943
15, 889
328,455
186
3, 845
30
620
134
2,770
5
102
32
661
12
248
11, 756
243, 017
1, 149, 870
23, 769, 919
143, 834
2, 973, 318
The deposits of foreign gold coin received and melted at the mints
and assay offices contained 1,523,950 fine ounces, of the value of
$31,502,833, as shown by the following table:
•
Country of coinage.
Fine ounces.
Value.
Great Britain
826, 597
12, 652
341, 631
19, 049
3, 159
158, 061
139, 739
6
12
571
98
6
22, 369
$17, 087, 276
261,540
7,062,138
393, 777
65, 302
3, 267, 110
2, 888, 661
123
248
11,803
2,025
123
462, 407
Germany
Japan
Mexico
Russia
Spain
France
Haiti
Turkey
Central America
South America
Other
Unknown . .
Total
1, 523, 950
31,502,833
The deposits of old jewelry contained 184,649 fine ounces, of the value
of $3,817,031.
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
19
REDErOSlTlS OF GOLD.
'Hie redeposits of gold bullion at the mints and assay offices contained
4,005,478 line ounces, of the value of $82,800,590, as shown by the
following table:
Unparted Gold Bars.
Institution at which
manufactured.
Institutions at which redepo-sited.
■ -
Total.
Philadel-
phia.
San Fran-
cisco.
Denver.
Boise.
Helena.
St. Louis
Seattle.
Philadelphia
Fine ozs.
7
Fine ozs.
Fine ozs.
Fine ozs.
Fine ozs.
Fine ozs.
Fi7ic ozs.
Fme ozs.
7
156
9,183
624, 998
79, 918
102, 360
11, 194
5, 572
11,779
1, 053, 027
San Francisco
156
9, 183
(Uirson
Denver
624, 915
77, 267
102, 319
11,194
5,534
11,779
291
83
Boise
2, 651
Helena
41
Charlotte
St. Louis
38
Dead wood
Seattle
1,052,698
38
Total
833, 306
1, 062, 037
83
2, 651
41
38
38
1, 898, 194
Unparted Gold Bars.
Institutions at which redeposited.
Institution at which manufactured.
Fine gold bars.
Mint bars.
Philadel-
phia.
New Or-
leans.
New York.
Total.
Philadel-
phia.
New York
Fine ozs.
1,051,919
Fine ozs.
Fine ozs.
161,757
Fine ozs.
1,213,676
15
246, 194
Fine ozs.
647, 399
New Orleans
15
Denver
246, 194
Total
1,298,113
15
161, 757
1,459,885
647, 399
The following tables show the deposits and redeposits of gold during
the calendar year:
Table showing the Weight of the Deposits and Redeposits of Gold Bullion
AT Mints and Assay Offices of the United States during the Calendar
Years 1899 and 1900, with the Increase or Decrease of the Same during the
Latter Year.
Classification of deposits of gold bullion.
Domestic bullion, unrefined
Domestic bullion, refinery bars. . .
Domestic bullion, refined
Total domestic bullion
Domestic coin. Treasury transfers
Domestic coin purchased
Foreign bullion, unrefined
Foreign bullion, refined
Foreign coins melted
Jewelers’ bars, etc
Total deposits
Redeposits:
Fine bars
Mint bars
Unparted bars
Total redeposits
Total gold operated upon
Net increase
Calendar year.
Increase.
Decrease.
1899.
1900.
FiTie ounces.
999, 503
788, 827
2, 161, 349
Fine ounces.
1, 131, 926
884, 528
2, 563, 606
Fine ounces.
132, 423
95, 701
402, 157
Fine ounces.
3, 949, 679
16, 257
49, 972
878, 672
306, 927
925, 497
152, 012
4. 579. 960
35,388
28,514
1,149,870
143, 834
1. 523. 960
184, 649
630, 281
19, 131
271, 198
698, 463
34, 637
41,458
163, 093
6, 279, 016
7, 646, 165
1,653,700
204, 651
1,086,867
1, 507, 457
1, 302, 957
1, 459, 885
647, 399
1, 898, 194
373,015
595, 237
860, 068
3,897,281
4,005,478
968,255
860, 058
10, 176, 297
11,651,043
2,521,955
1,457,346
1, 064, 609
20
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
Table Showing the Value op" the Deposits and Redeposits of Gold Bullion
AT THE Mints and Assay Offices of the United States During the Calen-
dar Years 1899 and 1900, with the Increase of the Same During the Latter
Year.
Calendar year.
Classification of deposits of gold bullion.
Increase.
Decrease.
1899.
1900.
Domestic bullion, unrefined
Domestic bullion, refinery bars . . .
Domestic bullion, refined
Total domestic bullion
Domestic coin. Treasury transfers
Domestic coin purchased
Foreign bullion, unrefined
Foreign bullion, refined
Foreign coins, melted
Jewelers’ bars, etc
Total deposits
Redeposits:
Fine bars
Mint bars
Unpartcd bars
Total redeposits
«20,661,671
16, 306, 611
44,679,040
81,647, r>2
336,054
1,033,026
18, 163, 768
6,344,746
19, 131, 710
3,142,367
823, 398, 980
18, 284, 815
52, 992, 379
94, 676, 174
731, 649
589, 433
23, 769, 919
2,973, 318
31,502,833
3,817,031
82, 737, 409
1, 978, 304
8, 313, 339
13,029,052
395, 495
5,606,151
12, 371, 123
674,674
8443, 692
3,'37i,’428
129,798,782
22,467,628
31,161,908
26,934,505
168, 060, 257
30,178,612
13, 382, 934
39,239,144
32,076, 496
7,710, 984
i2,’364*^9
3,815,020
17,778,974
80,663,941
82, 800, 590
20,015,623
17,778,974
Total gold operated upon
Net increase
210,362,723
240,860,847
52, 092, 118
30, 498, 124
21,593,994
DEPOSITS OF SILVER.
Silver is coined in the United States on Government account only.
Deposits of silver bullion are received by the mints and assay offices of
the United States for return to the depositor in fine or imparted bars
with the weight and fineness stamped thereon. The deposits of silver
for return in fine bars are confined almost exclusively to the JNew York
assay office, only a small amount being deposited at other institutions.
Fine silver bars manufactured for depositors are either exported or
sold for use in the industrial arts in the United States.
The deposits of silver at the mints and assay offices during the cal-
endar year 1900 were 12,379,351 fine ounces, of the coining value of
$16,005,625, and the redeposits contained 20,781,893 fine ounces, of the
coining value of $26,869,519.
The domestic bullion amounted to 3,628,151 fine ounces, of the coin-
ing value of $4,690,943. For the convenience of the Bureau the
domestic silver bullion has been classified as unrefined, refinery bars,
and refined bars, similar to domestic gold bullion.
The deposits and transfers of mutilated and uncurrent domestic sil-
ver coin amounted to 2,615,173 fine ounces, of the coining value of
$3,381,233, of which 2,612,289 fine ounces were received from the
Treasury and 2,884 fine ounces purchased over the counter.
Foreign silver bullion amounted to 1,374,911 fine ounces, of the
value of $1,777,662, representing the deposits of unrefined bullion
reported to have been received from countries named in the following
statement:
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
21
Deposits op Foreign Silver Bullion.
Country of production.
Fine ounces.
Coinage
value.
British Columbia
23, 137
211, 653
7,182
1,014
27
*29,915
273, 652
9, 286
1,311
36
Northwest Territory
Ontario and Quebec
Nova Scotia
Manitoba
Winnipeg
11
14
Ottawa
4
6
Canada (unknown locality)
32
42
Mexico
1,105, 410
10
1,429, 217
13
Cuba
Porto Rico
49
63
Santo Domingo
7
9
Central America ;
18,714
6,361
16
24, 196
8,211
19
South America
Japan
China
1
1
Korea
67
87
South Africa
4
6
Philippine Islands
3
4
Unknown
1,220
1,677
Total
1,374,911
1,777,662
The deposits of foreign silver coin received and melted contained
4,1^1^^15 line ounces, ot the coining value of $5,419,849, as shown by
the following table:
Country of coinage.
Pine ounces.
Coining
value.
Porto Rico
4, 070, 133
514
2,883
4,250
60,442
32, 945
20,748
*5,262,394
664
3,727
6, 495
78, 148
42,596
26,825
Spain
Santo Domingo
Haiti 7
Costa Rica
South America
Unknown
Total
4, 191,915
6,419,849
The deposits of old jewelry contained 569,201 fine ounces, of the
value of $735,937.
REDEPOSITS OF SILVER.
The redeposits of silver bullion at the mints and assay ofiSces con-
tained 20,781,893 fine ounces, of the coining value of $26,869,519, of
which 19,994,395 fine ounces were in fine bars, 412,883 fine ounces in
standard bars, 374,615 fine ounces in unparted bars, as shown by the
following statements:
Unparted Silver Bars.
Institution at which
manufactured.
Institution at which redeposited.
Philadel-
phia.
San Fran-
cisco.
St.
;Louis.
Denver.
Boise.
Helena.
Seattle.
Total.
Philadelphia..
Fine ozs.
7
Pine ozs.
Fine ozs.
Fine ozs.
Fine ozs.
Fine ozs.
Fine ozs.
Pine ozs.
7
44
6, 163
70,062
32,889
26,321
975
72Q
236,863
2,562
San Francisco
44
5,163
Carson
Denver
70, 030
32,884
2b, m
975
720
2,562
32
Helena
5
Boise
664
Charlotte
St. Louis
9
Seattle
235,797
34
Deadwood
Total
132, 967
241,004
9
32
564
6
34
374,615
22
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
Fine and Standard Silver Bars.
Institution at which manufactured.
Institution at which redeposited.
Fine bars.
Standard
bars.
Philadel-
phia.
San
Francisco.
New
Orleans.
New York.
New
Orleans.
Philadelphia
Fine ounces.
428
Fine ounces.
3, 669, 327
176, 183
Fine ounces.
16,016,804
Fine ounces.
Fine ounces.
San Francisco
New York
128, 507
3,146
412, 883
Total
428
3, 845, 510
16, 145, 311
3,146
412,883
The following tables show the deposits and redeposits of silver during
the calendar year:
Table showing the Weight of the Deposits and Redeposits of Silver Bullion
AT THE Mints and Assay Offices of the United States during the Calendar
Years 1899 and 1900, with the Increase or Decrease of the Same during
THE Latter Year.
Cla.ssification of deposits of silver bullion.
Calendar year.
Increase.
Decrease.
Domestic bullion, unrefined
Domestic bullion, refinery bars . . .
Domestic bullion, refined'
Total domestic bullion
Domestic coin. Treasury transfers
Domestic coin purchased
Trade dollars purchased
Foreign bullion, unrefined
Foreign bullion, refined
Foreign coins melted
Jewelers' bars, etc
Total deposits
Redeposits:
1899.
1900.
Fine ounces.
Fine ounces.
Fine ounces.
Fine ounces.
372, 741
70, 885
4,894,718
401,675
87, 066
3,136,410
31,934
16,181
1,758, 308
5, 338, 344
3, 749, 229
2,856
214
771,757
3, 882
38,376
522, 770
3,628,151
2, 612, 289
2, 709
175
1,374,911
4,191,915
569, 201
48, 115
603, 154
4, 153, 539
46, 431
1,758,308
1,136,940
147
39
3,882
10, 427, 428
12, 379, 351
4,851,239
2, 899, 316
Fine bars
Mint bars
Standard bars
Unparted bars
Total redeposits
Total silver operated upon
Net increase
15,237,648
14, 523
88, 751
288,977
19,994,395
4, 756, 747
14, 523
412,883 324,132
374, 615 85, 638
15,629,899
20, 781, 893
5,166,517
14, 523
26,057,327
33,161,244
10,017,756
7, 103, 917
2, 913, 839
Table showing the Value of the Deposits and Redeposits of Silver Bullion
AT THE Mints and Assay Offices of the United States during the Calendar
Years 1899 and 1900, with the Increase or Decrease of the same during
THE La'fter Year.
Classification of deposits of silver bullion.
Domestic bullion, unrefined
Domestic bullion, refinery bars...
Domestic bullion, refined
Total dome.stic bullion
Domestic coin, Treasury transfers
Domestic coin, purchases
Trade dollars purchased
Foreign bullion, unrefined
Foreign bullion, refined
Foreign coins melted . .
Jewelers’ bars, etc
Total deposits
Calendar year.
Increase.
Decrea.se.
1899.
1900.
«481,928
?523, 217
»41,289
91, 649
112, 571
20, 922
6, 328, 524
4,055,156
82,273,369
6, 902, 101
4,690, 943
62, 211
2, 273, 369
4, 847, 488
3, 377, 504
1,469,984
3, 698
8,602
196
272
227
45
997, 827
6,019
49,617
1,777,663
779, 836
5,019
5,419,849
5,370,232
675, 905
735, 937
60, 032
13,481,927
16,005,625
6,272,311
3,748,613
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
28
Tabi,e showing the Value of the Deposits and Redeposits of Silver Bullion
AT THE Mints and Assay Offices of the United States, etc. — Continued.
Classification of deposits of silver bullion.
Calendar year.
Increase.
Decrease.
1899.
1900.
Redeposits;
Fine bars
$19, 701, 201
18, 777
114,749
373, 627
$25,851,340
$6,160,139
Mint, bars
$18, 777
Standard bars
533, 828
484, 351
419,079
110, 724
Unparted bars
Total redeposits
20,208,354
26, 869, 619
6, 679, 942
18, 777
Total silver operated upon
33,690,281
42, 875, 144
12, j52, 253
9, 184, 863
3, 767, 390
Net increase
DEPOSITS OF GOLD AND SILVER SINCE 1880.
The following table shows the amount of gold and silver received at
the mints and assay offices by calendar years since 1880:
Gold and Silver (Excluding Redeposits) Received at the Mints and Assay
Offices during the Calendar Years since 1880.
1880
1881
1882
1883
1884
1885
1886
1887
1888.
1889
1890.
1891
1892.
1893
1894.
1895.
1896.
1897.
1898.
1899.
1900
Calendar year.
Gold.
Silver (coin-
ing value).
Total.
$100, 278, 703
98,763,426
41,921,263
51,089, 456
50, 518, 179
44,714,052
66, 422, 088
74,724,077
41,496,410
42,599,206
48, 767, 964
60, 849, 552
46, 406, 646
69, 419, 223
49, 704, 902
69,433,579
91,743, 670
87,924,232
182, 996, 602
129, 798, 782
168, 060, 258
J35, 103, 825
30,326,848
35,161,254
36, 978, 184
36, 670, 731
35,836, 726
39,086,070
46,381,333
41,323,973
41,977,265
55, 198, 037
70,994, 120
84,591,898
62,465,005
14, 120, 605
13, 843, 636
10, 873, 160
12, 707, 128
16,841,222
13,481,927
16, 005, 626
$135,382,528
129, 090, 274
77,082,517
88, 067, 640
87, 188, 910
80, 550, 777
105, 508, 158
121,105,410
82, 820, 383
84,576,471
103, 966, 001
131,843,672
129, 998, 544
131,884,228
63,825,507
83, 277, 215
102,616, 830
100, 631, 360
198,837,824
143,280,511
174,065,884
COINAGE OF THE UNITED STATES.
The following table exhibits the number of fine ounces and value of
gold and silver coinage of the United States, by calendar years, since
1873:
Coinage of Gold and Silver of the Mints of the United States since 1873.
Calendar year.
1873
1874
1876
1876
1877
1878
1879
1880
1881
1882
Gold.
Silver.
Fine ounces. Coining value.
Fine ounces.
2,758,476
1, 706, 441
1, 594, 050
2, 253, 281
2, 128, 493
2, 408, 400
1,890,499
3,014,163
4,685, 162
3, 187,317
Value.
$67,022,748
35, 254, 630
32,961,940
46, 679, 453
43, 999, 864
49, 786, 052
39, 080, 080
62,308,279
96, 850, 890
65, 887, 685
3,112,891
5,299,421
11,870,635
18,951,777
21, 960, 246
22,057,548
21,323,498
21,201,232
21,609,970
21, 635, 469
$4, 024, 748
6, 851,777
15, 347, 893
24, 603, 308
28, 393, 045
28, 618, 850
27,569,776
27,411,694
27, 940, 164
27, 973, 132
24
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
Coinage op Gold and Silver of the Mints of the United States, etc. — Continued-
Calendar year.
1883
1884
1885
1886
1887
1888
1889
1890
1891
1892
1893
1894
1895
1896
1897
1898
1899
1900
Total
Gold.
Silver.
Fine ounces.
Value.
Fine ounces.
Coining value.
1,414,581
1, 160, 601
1,343,519
1,400, 240
1,159,664
1,518,046
1, 035, 899
990, 100
1,413,614
1,682,832
2, 757,231
3,848, 045
2, 883, 941
2,276,192
3, 677, 878
3, 772, 561
6, 386, 277
4, 802, 328
829, 241, 990
23.991.756
27, 773, 012
28, 945, 542
23, 972, 383
31. 380, 808
21,413,931
20, 467, 182
29, 222, 005
34, 787, 223
66, 997, 020
79, 546, 160
59,616,358
47,053,060
76,028,485
77.985.757
111,344,220
99, 272, 942
22, 620, 701
22, 069, 935
22, 400, 433
24, 817, 064
27, 218, 101
25, 543, 242
27,454,465
30, 320, 999
21,284,116
9,777,084
6, 808, 413
7,115,896
4,407,065
17,858,594
14,298, 769
17, 815, 385
20,156,957
28, 072, 162
829, 246, 968
28,534,866
28, 962, 176
32, 086, 709
35,191,081
33, 025, 606
35, 496, 683
39,202,908
27, 518, 857
12, 641, 078
8, 802, 797
9, 200, 351
5, 698, 010
23, 089, 899
18,487,297
23, 034, 033
26,061,520
36, 295, 321
68, 148, 830
1,408,761,455
519, 062, 057
671,110,547
In the Appendix a table will be found showing the value of the coin-
age executed by each mint annually since 1792.
The following table shows the number of pieces and value of coin-
age executed at the mints of the United States during the calendar
year 1900:
Coinage Executed in the United States, Calendar Year 1900.
Description.
Pieces.
Value.
Gold
6, 510, 979
25.010.912
50. 137. 913
94,089,759
899, 272, 942. 50
25,010,912.00
11,334,409. 45
2,031,137.39
Silver dollars
Subsidiarv silver coin
Minor coin
Total
175,749,563
137,649, 401.34
There are included 50,000 Lafa}^ette souvenir dollars coined under
act of March 3, 1899, in the amount of silver dollars coined reported
in the above table.
COINAGE FOR COSTA RICA.
In addition to the domestic coinage there were manufactdred for the
Government of Costa Rica the following gold coins:
Denomination.
Pieces.
Twenty-colone pieces
5,000
140.000
100. 000
125, 000
Tcn-colone pieces
Five-colone pieces
Two-colone pieces
Total
370,000
The above coinage for Costa Rica represents the value of
$1,047,041.40.
rRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
25
BARS MANUFACTURED, 1900.
The following statements show the character and value of gold and
silver bars manufactured during the calendar year 1900:
Description.
Gold.
Silver.
Fine bars
862, 182, 183. 37
6,589,043.70
3, 443, 972. 58
38,874,850.51
86, 702, 875. 45
91,609.49
3, 160. 15
494,409.30
Mint bars
Standard bars
Unparted bars
Total
111,090,050.16
7,292,054.39
PURCHASE OF SILVER.
The repeal of the purchasing clause of the act of July 14, 1890, by
act of November 1, 1893, limited the purchase of silver to that con-
tained in deposits of gold bullion, silver fractions for return in fine
bars, the amount retained in payment for charges on silver deposits,
surplus bullion returned by the operative officers on the annual settle-
ment at the close of the fiscal 3^ear, and uncurrent -and mutilated
domestic coins purchased under provisions of section 3526 of the
Revised Statutes for the subsidiary silver coinage.
The following tables show the quantity and cost of silver purchased
for the subsidiaiy coinage during the calendar }'ear 1900:
Silver Purchased at the Mints for Subsidiary Coinage during the Calendar
Year 1900.
Stock.
Standard
ounces.
Cost.
Amount Porto Rican coins redeemed and melted
4, 522, 370. 39
540, 847. 31
828. 03
2, 150. 77
14, 880. 39
83,419,521.08
296, 570. 35
989. 26
1,170.82
8, 824. 12
Partings, charges, and fractions purchased
Melted as.say coins purchased ... T
Mutilated coins purchased
Surplus bullion purchased
Total
5, 081, 076. 89
3,727,075.63
Table Showing the Quantity and Cost op Silver Purchased at Each Mint
FOR Subsidiary Coinage, and at the New York Assay Office, during the
Calendar Year 1900.
Institution.
Standard
ounces.
Cost.
Mint at Philadelphia
4, 702, 791. 86
328, 275. 06
50,009. 97
144, 886. 99
83,518,846.20
180, 176. 37
28,053.06
80,815.59
Mint at San Francisco
Mint at New Orleans
Assay office at New York
Total ,
5,225,963.88
3, 807, 891. 22
26
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
Amount, Cost, Average Price, and Bullion Value of the Silver Dollar of
Silver Purchased under the Act of February 28, 1878.
Fiscal year.
Fine ounces.
Cost.
Average
price
per fine
ounce.
Bullion
cost of a
silver
dollar.
1878
10, 809, 350. 58
19, 248, 086. 09
22, 057, 862. 64
19, 709, 227. 11
21, 190, 200. 87
22,889,241.24
21, 922, 951. 52
21,791,171.61
22, 690, 652. 94
26. 490. 008. 04
25, 386, 125. 32
26,468,861.03
27. 820. 900. 05
2,797,379.52
$13, 023, 268. 96
21, 593, 642. 99
25, 235, 081. 53
22, 327, 874. 75
24, 054, 480. 47
25, 577, 327. 58
24, 378, 383. 91
23, 747, 460. 26
23, 448, 960. 01
25, 988, 620. 46
24,237,653.20
24, 717, 853. 81
26, 899, 326. 33
3. 049, 426. 46
$1. 2048
$0. 9318
1879
1. 1218
.8676
1880
1.1440
.8848
1881
1. 1328
.8761
1882
1. 1351
.8779
1883
1.1174
.8642
1884
1.1120
.8600
1885
1. 0897
.8428
1886
1.0334
.7992
1887
.9810
.7587
1888
.9547
.7384
1889
.9338
.7-222
1890
.9668
.7477
1891
1.0901
.8431
Total
291,272,018.56
308, 279, 260. 71
1.0583
.8185
Amount, Cost, Average Price, and Bullion Value of the Silver Dollar of
Silver Purchased under Act of July 14, 1890.
Fiscal year.
Fine ounces.
Co.st.
Average
price
per fine
ounce.
Bullion
cost of a
silver
dollar.
1891
48,393,113.05
64,355,748.10
54, 008, 162. 60
11, 917, 668. 78
$.50, 577, 498. 44
51, 106, 607. 96
45, 631, 374. 53
8, 716, 521. 32
$1. 0451
$0.8083
1892
. 9402
.7271
1893
.8430
. 6520
1894
.7313
.5666
Total
168, 674, 682. 53
155, 931, 002. 25
. 9244
.7150
Amount, Cost, Average Price, and Bullion Value of the Silver Dollar of
Silver Purchased under the Acts of February 12, 1873, January 14, 1875,
February 28, 1878, and July 14, 1890.
~ Act authorizing.
Fine ounces.
Cost.
Average
price
per fine
ounce.
Bullion
cost of a
silver
dollar.
February 12, 1873
5, 434, 282. 00
31, 603, 906. 50
291,272,0:».66
168, 674, 682. 53
$7, 152, 564. 00
37,571,148.00
308, 279, 260. 71
155, 931, 002. 25
$1.3162
1. 1888
1.0583
. 9244
$1.0180
.9194
.8185
.7150
January 14, iS76
February 28, 1878
July 14,i890'.
Total
496, 984, 889. 09
608, 933, 974. 96
1. 0240
.7920
Statement Showing the Amount and Cost of Silver Bullion Purchased Under
Act of July 14, 1890, and Used in the Coinage of Standard Silver Dollars,
Wasted and Sold in Sweeps, and Number of Dollars Coined and Seigniorage
ON Same from August 13, 1890, to December 31, 1900.
Disposition.
Fine ounces.
Cost.
Total amount purchased and cost of same
168, 674, 682. 63
$166, 931, 002. 25
Used in coinage of standard .silver dollars to December 31, 1900
Used in coinage of subsidiary silver to December 31, 1900
98,337,434.77
7, 704, 987. 81
63, 570. 37
.31
92, 286, 571. 78
6, 971, 099. 05
62, 535. 64
.25
Wasted and sold in sweeps
Transferred to subsidiary purchase account
Total amount used
106, 105, 993. 26
« 62, 668, 689. 27
99, 319, 206. 72
66, 611,795.53
Balance on hand December 31, 19(K)
Total
168, 674, 682. 53
155,931,002.25
«Incliule.s l,084,f)00.79 niio ounces, costiii{< 8981,250.34 in tninsit between Philatlelphia and New
Orleans.
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES. 27
Statement Showing the Amount and Cost op Silver Bullion Purchased Under
Act of July 14, 1890, etc. — Continued.
Coinage.
Seigniorage.
standard silver dollars coined to December 31, 1900
8127,143,350.00
10, 661,443.30
834,867,778.22
3, 680, 344. 25
Subsidiary silver coined to December 31, 1900
Balance of Silver Bullion Purchased under Act op Jula' 14, 1890, on Hand
AT Each Mint and the Assay Office at New York January 1, 1901.
Institution.
Fine ounces.
Cost.
Mint at Philadelphia
61,030,976.73
1,043,909. 43
•9,872,888. 29
620, 916. 82
846,172,546.71
944, 515. 27
8,932,933. 12
561,801.43
Mint at San Francisco
Mint at New Orleans
Assay oflice at New York
Total
62,568,689.27
56,611,795.53
‘Includes 1,084,600.79 fine ounces, costing 8981,250.34, in transit from the United States Mint at
Philadelphia.
IMPORTS AND EXPORTS OF GOLD AND SILVER.
IMPORTS OF GOLD.
The value of gold imported into the United States during the calen-
dar }mar 1900 was $66,749,084, against $51,334,964 for the calendar
year 1899, or an increase of $15,414,120.
The value of gold bullion imported was $13,658,462, of which amount
$5,972,577 came from Great Britain, $3,365,481 from Mexico,
$3,313,069 from Canada, $499,429 from Central American States,
$83,197 from Germany, and the remainder principally from South
America.
Foreign gold coin of the value of $26,934,504 was also imported, of
which $^17,082,750 came from Australasia, $6,944,530 from Japan,
$882,045 from Canada, $788,562 from France, $654,135 from Ger-
many, $325,771 from Great Britain, and the remainder from various
countries.
The value of gold contained in ore imported was $21,045,828, of
which $19,525,135 came from Canada, $1,448,644 from Mexico,
$69,588 from Great Britain, and the remainder from Hongkong,
Chile, and Guatemala.
There were returned to the United States gold coin of the value of
$5,110,290, of which $2,822,933 came from Canada, $1,000,000 from
France, $359, 140 from Hawaiian Islands, $246,822 from Great Britain,
$244,151 from Mexico, and the remainder from various countries.
Gold Imports, Calendar Year 1900.
Description.
Amount.
Foreign bullion
813,668,462
26,934,604
21,046,828
Foreign coin
Gold m ore
Total foreign
61, 638, 794
5, 110, 290
United States coin
Total imports gold
66, 749, 084
28
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
GOLD EXPORTS.
The total value of gold exported from the United States during the
calendar year 1900 was $54,134,623, of which amount $52,787,523 was
domestic and $1,347,100 foreign gold, against $45,379,411 exported
during the calendar year 1899, showing an increase in the gold exporta-
tion of $8,755,212 over that for the previous year.
The value of United States assay office bars exported was $5,740,
which went to China and Hongkong.
The value of other domestic gold bars exported was $34,686,247, of
which amount $15,182,481 went to France; $14,782,320 to Great Brit-
ain; $4,600,709 to Germany; $17,737 to Canada, and $3,000 to Mexico.
The value of domestic gold coin exported during the year was
$18,025,610, of which amount $5,427,086 went to Canada; $4,152,400 to
Great Britain; $2,498,997 to South America; $1,900,000 to France;
$1,491,490 to Venezuela, and the remainder to various countries, prin-
cipally to the W est Indies, Central America, Hongkong, and Hawaiian
Islands.
The value of gold in domestic ores exported was $69,926, of which
amount $31,873 went to Great Britain; $19,280 to Germany, and
$18,773 to Canada.
Foreign gold coin of the value of $1,346,250 was exported, of which
amount $870,865 went to West Indies; $246,077 to Canada; $146,175
to Bermuda, and the remainder to various countries.
Foreign gold bullion to the amount of $850 was exported to Canada.
Gold Expoets, Calendar Year 1900.
Description.
Amount.
United States assay office bars
Other bullion
United States coin
Gold in ore, etc
86,740
34,686,247
18,025, 610
69, 926
Total domestic
Foreign bullion reexported 8850
Foreign coin reexported 1,346,250
Total foreign
52, 787, 523
1, 347, 100
Total gold exports
54, 134, 623
SILVER IMPORTS.
The silver imports into the United States from all sources during
the calendar year 1900 aggregated $40,100,343, against $30,843,929
imported during the previous .year, being an increase of $9,256,414.
The commercial value of foreign silver bullion imported was $7,988,-
799, of which amount $6,790,901 came from Mexico, $612,740 from
Central America, $561,395 from South America, and the remainder
from various countries.
Silver coins of the United States of the value of $7,988,799 were
returned to the country, of which amount $118,106 came from Canada,
$39,441 from the West Indies, $20,393 from Japan, and the remainder
from various countries.
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
29
Foreign silver ore imported contained $25, 404:, 378, of which amount
$20,485,127 came from Mexico, $2,533,711 from Canada, $2,324,219
from South America, and the remainder from various countries.
Silver Imports, Calendar Year 1900.
Description.
Amount.
Foreign bullion
87,988,799
6,521,322
25, 404, ,378
Foreign coin
Silver in ore
Total foreign
39, 914, 499
185,844
United States coin
Total silver imports
40, 100,343
SILVER EXPORTS.
The value of silver exported during the calendar year 1900 amounted
to $66,221,658, of which $59,272,668 represented the exports of
domestic and $6,948,990 that of foreign silver exports.
Domestic bullion amounting to $58,314,155 was exported, of which
$51,870,790 went to Great Britain, $2,473,742 to China, $736,562
to France, $75,675 to Canada, $1,192 to British and Dutch Guianas,
$3,105,894 to Hongkong, and $49,800 to Japan.
The value of silver in domestic ores exported was $515,755, of which
$473,119 went to Great Britain and $42,636 to Germany.
There was exported domestic silver coin amounting to $442,758, of
which $333,545 went to the West Indies, $59,250 to the Hawaiian
Islands, $48,463 to Canada and $1,500 to France and Germany.
Foreign silver coin amounting to $6,948,958 was exported, of which
$5,002,612 went to Hongkong, $1,563,650 to Great Britain, $178,607
to Canada, $81,497 to Central America, $31,680 to Brazil, $31,391 to
the West Indies, and the remainder to various countries.
Foreign silver bullion valued at $38 was exported to Canada.
Silver Exports, Calendar Year 1900.
Descriptiou.
Amount.
Silver bullion
United States coin
Silver in ore
858,314,155
442,758
515,755
Total domestic
Foreign bullion reexported 838
Foreign coin reexported 6, 948, 958
Total foreign
59,272,668
6,948,996
Total silver exports
66,221,664
In the Appendix will be found tables exhibiting the imports and
exports of the precious metals, by customs districts and by countries,
for the calendar year 1900, kindly compiled by the Bureau of Statistics
for use in this report.
30
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
MOVEMENT OF GOLD FROM THE UNITED STATES.
The superintendent of the United States assay office at New York has
kindly prepared the following tables, giving exports of gold through
the port of New York during the calendar year 1900:
Statement of United States Gold Coin and Gold Bullion Exported from the
Port of New York to Europe during the Calendar Year ended December
31, 1900.
Date.
Country.
Amount.
Rate of
exchange.
.Ta.niiary 3
England
8150, 000
2,650
3, 502, 475
1,700
t>
CO 00 00 «
Do.“
Germany
January 5
England
January 20
Germany
Do
England
452
4.87
March 16
do
2,271
80
4.85?
4.85?
4.88i-
Do
Germany
April 25
France
600,000
2, 610, 994
2, 856, 298
3, 199, 100
1, 261, 333
2, 514, 217
1,000,000
3, 500, 709
2,200
612,918
1,100
802
May 2
do
4.88
May 9
do
4.88i
4. 88i
May 16
do
May 23
do
4.87?
4. 87i
June 13
do
Do
Germany
4.871
June 18
do
4.87?
.Tiine 30
do
4 86?
Do
France
4. 86?
Do
England
4 86?
July 18
do
4.87?
"Do
Germany
1,150
4.87?
Do
France
2, 028, 914
3, 308, 261
3, 650
2, 008, 907
3,325,417
5-11,000
8, 204, 104
2, WO
4,246
4.87?
August, 8
England
4.88?
4 88i
Do
Germany
Do
France
4 88?
August 10 .
England
4 88
August 13
do
4.87?
4.87?
4.87
August 14
do
September
do
October
do
4.84
November
do
11,455
2,500
4.84?
Do
Germany
4.84?
December
do
2,760
6,370
4.84?
4. 84?
Do
England
Total
41, 169, 063
Recapitulation of Gold Exports to Europe.
Description.
England.
France.
Germany.
Grand total
of exports to
Europe.
United States coins
83, 652, 400
82, 400, 000
77,000
15, 687, 482
8500,000
2,280
Foreign coins
Bars (United States assay office at New York) .
Bullion (unknown)
18,842,411
35, 617
81,873
Gold in ore
i9,280
Total
22, 662, 301
18,164,482
521,560
841,248,343
During the same period there was shipped to West Indies, Mexico,
and Central and South America the following:
United States coins $5, 551, 661
Foreign coins 1, 020, 899
Bullion 3, 000
Total 6, 575, 560
Grand total of exports 47, 823, 903
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
31
The imports of gold during the same period were as follows:
From Europe:
United States coins $1, 265, 822
Foreign coins 1, 694, 716
Bars (United States assay office at New York) 3, 211, 434
Foreign bullion 894, 972
Total $7, 066, 944
From other ports:
United States coins 371, 628
Foreign coins 301, 500
Foreign bullion 3, 761, 853
Total 4,434,981
Grand total of imports 11, 501, 925
MARKET PRICE OF SILVER DURING THE CALENDAR YEAR 1900.
During the calendar year 1900 India was by far the largest pur-
chaser in the London market of any other country.
The cost of silver purchased during the year by the Indian govern-
ment in London approximated <£5,063,500 sterling, which, at the average
price of silver during the year, would purchase about 35,700,000 fine
ounces.
According to the official report of the Indian government for the
fiscal year ending March 31, 1901, the cost of silver purchased by that
country during that 3'Car was £6,057,700 sterling, equal to about
47,550,000 fine ounces. After India, China was the largest purchaser
of silver, purchasing silver costing about £5750,000 sterling in excess
of the amount purchased in 1899.
The Paris mint and Straits Settlements were also purchasers. Russia
purchased silver to the extent of only <£500,000, as against <£3,000,000
sterling in 1899. There was little Continental demand for silver during
the year 1900.
The highest London price during 1900 was 30i and the lowest 27.
The average price was 28.2863 pence. At the lowest price the value
of an ounce line in United States money was 59.18-f-, the highest price
66.31+, and the average price 62 cents.
At the lowest price of silver the bullion value of the standard silver
dollar was 45 cents, and at the highest 51.28-f , and the average 49.67+.
Highest, Lowest, and Average Price of Silver Bullion and Value of a Fine
Ounce each Month during the Calendar Year 1900.
Month.
High-
est.
Low-
est.
Average
price per
ounce
British
standard,
0.925.
Equivalent
value of a
fine ounce
with
exchange
at par
($4.8665).
Average
monthly
price at
New York
of ex-
change on
London.
Equivalent
value of a fine
ounce based
on average
monthly price
and average
rate of
exchange.
Average
monthly
Ncav York
price of
fine bar
silver.
1900.
January
Pence.
27J
Pence.
27
Pence.
27. 3088
$0. 59864
$4. 8725
$0. 59938
$0.6022o
February
27i
27ft
27. 4765
.60015
4. 8748
. 60346
.60602
March
27H
27ft
27. 5810
.60460
4. 8591
. 60323
.60611
April
27i
27ft
27. 4150
. 60096
4.8756
. 60208
.60395
May
27f
271
27. 5625
. 60577
4. 8806
. 60619
.60682
June
28ft
27ft
27. 8293
. 61005
4. 8696
. 61043
.61120
July
28ft
27J
28. 2375
. 61895
4. 8712
. 61957
.61935
August
28ft
27W
28.2500
. 61927
4. 8786
. 61839
.61865
September
29i
28ft
28.8375
.63215
4. 8689
. 63285
.63343
October
301
291
29. 5902
.64865
4. 8432
. 64551
.64935
November
29M
29ft
29. 6634
. 65025
4. 8470
.64760
.64296
December
29H
29i
29. 6900
. 65839
4.8488
.64849
.64775
Average
28. 2868
.62007
4. 8658
.61979
. 62065
32
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
STOCK OF MONEY IN THE UNITED STATES.
The stock of United States coin in the United States on January 1,
1901, was as follows:
Official Table of Stock of Coin in the United States January 1, 1901.
Items.
Gold.
Silver.
Total.
Estimated stock of coin Jan. 1, 1900
$873,100,363
4,000,000
99,272,943
$563,677,658
»1, 000, 000
36,295,321
$1,436,778, 021
5,000,000
135,568,264
Stock of Hawaiian coin in Hawaii
Coinage, calendar year 1900
Total
976, 373, 306
600, 972,979
1,577,346,285
Loss:
Net exports of United States coin, calendar year 1900.
United States coin melted for recoinage, calendar
year 1900 .■
12,916,320
1, 332, 258
256,914
3,834,537
190,200
»- 1,427, 500
100,000
13, 172, 234
5, 166,795
190,200
4, 322, 500
1,600,000
This amount is shown by subsequent returns not to
have been included in the aggregate of subsidiary
silver coins taken out of the country in transports
and war ships, as stated in the report on the pro-
duction of gold and silver in the United States for
the calendar year 1899
United States coin taken out in war ships and trans-
ports for disbursement in Cuba, Porto Rico, and
the Philippine Islands, not recorded at the custom-
houses, calendar year 1900
2. 895.000
1.500.000
United States coin used in the arts, calendar year 1900.
Total
18, 642, 678
5, 809, 151
24, 451, 729
Estimated stock of coin, Jan. 1, 1901
957, 730, 728
696,163,828
1, 562, 894, 556
» Of this amount S500,000 are $1 pieces.
bOf this amount $710, 000 were in standard silver dollars.
Note.— The number of standard silver dollars coined to January 1, 1901, is 510,388,615, which,
added to the Hawaiian dollar coinage of 600,000, gives a total of 510,888,615.
Since July 1, 1898, the number of standard silver dollars exported has been 2,436,000 and since 1883
the number withdrawn from circulation and melted has been 174,025 (Report oi the Director of the
Mint, 1900, p. 17), a total disposition of 2,609,025, leaving in the United States on January 1, 1901, a
net stock of 508,279,590 standard silver dollars and $86,884,238 in subsidiary silver coins.
In the above table under the item “ United States coin melted for
recoinage,” the amounts represent nominal or face value.
In the Appendix a table will be found giving in detail the source
from which these amounts were obtained.
On January 1, 1901, the cost value of the gold and silver bullion
owned by the Government was as follows:
Gold and Silver Bullion in Mints and Assay Offices January 1, 1901.
Metal.
Cost value.
Gold
$153, 094, 872
60, 609. m
Silver
Total
213, 704, 510
On January 1, 1901 the Mercantile Safe Deposit Compan}^, in New
York City, had on deposit in its vaults 39,347 ounces, hne, of silver
bullion, of the commercial value of $25,290, which, added to the stock
of bullion owned by the Government and the stock of coin in the
United States, shows a total metallic stock as follows:
PEECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
33
Metallic Stock January 1, 1901.
Bullion and coin.
Value.
SI, no, 825, 000
655, 798, 756
Silver (including amount held by Mercantile Safe Deposit Co.)
Total
1, '^66, 624, 356
The metallic stock on hand January 1, 1900, was as follows:
Metallic Stock January 1, 1900.
Bullion and coin.
Value.
Gold
SI, 016, 178, 509
643, 239, 979
Silver
Total
1,659,418,488
The increase during the calendar year in the stock of gold was
$9-1,61:7,091, and silver $12,558,777, a total increase of $107,205,868.
The stock of metallic and paper money in the United States on Jan-
uary 1, 1901, was located as follows:
Location of the Moneys of the United States, January 1, 1901.
Moneys.
In Treasury.
Outside of
Treasury.
Total.
letallic:
Gold bullion
S153, 094, 872
60, 609, 638
328,453, 044
433,899,702
4,491,532
S153, 094, 872
60, 634, 928
957, 730, 728
608, 279, 590
86,884,238
Silver bullion
S25,290
629, 277, 684
74, 379, 888
82, 392, 706
Gold coin
Silver dollars
Subsidiary silver coin
Total
980,548,788
786, 075, 568
1, 766, 624, 356
Paper:
lifignl-teTider notes, old issue
13,336,546
246, 764
28, 876, 270
5,056, 152
7, 969, 904
40,000
333,344,470
61 ,'150, 236
234, 933, 109
422, 369,848
332, 171, 271
1, 520, 000
346, 681,016
61, 397, 000
263, 809, 379
427,426,000
340, 141, 175
1, 560, 000
Legal-tender notes, act July 14, 1890
Gold certificates..^
Silver certificates
National-bank notes
Currency certificates
Total
55, 525, 636
1,385,488,934
1, 441, 014, 570
Grand total
1,036,074,424
2, 171, 564, 502
3,207,638,926
GOLD AND SILVER USED IN INDUSTRIAL ARTS IN THE UNITED
STATES DURING THE CALENDAR YEAR 1900.
The problem of industrial consumption of the precious metals has
been the subject of special inquiry conducted by this Bureau for sev-
eral years past and is reserved for fuller treatment in my forthcoming
report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1901. A summary of the
principal statements showing the quantity and value of precious
metals used in industrial arts in the United States during the calendar
5^ear 1900 is submitted below.
Among the purveyors of gold and silver bars for use in the indus-
trial arts the United States mint at Philadelphia and the United
States assay office at New York hold the foremost places, which
12066— 01— 3
I
34
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
brings the larger portion of the total material consumed, in the arts
under Government notice as a matter of public record.
The quantity and value of tiie gold and silver bars manufactured
by the United States mint at Philadelphia during the calendar year
1900 were as follows:
Value and Composition op Bars Manufactured for Use in the Industrial
Arts by the United States Mint at Philadelphia during the Calendar
Year ended December 31, 1900.
Material used.
Gold.
Silver.
Fine
ounces.
Value.
Fine
ounces.
Coining
value.
Domestic bullion
126,405.540
5,037.066
510. 259
$3,614,374.73
104,125.41
10,547.97
4,636. 12
64,064.34
30.53
10,870.86
86.66
$5,994.17
82,830.53
26.53
14,05.5.26
113.05
Jewelry, etc
United“States coin
Foreign bullion
Foreign coin
Total
133,013. 865
3,738,948.11
79,678.40
103,018.54
The quantity and value of the gold and silver bars manufactured
by the United States assay office at New York during the calendar
year 1900 were as follows:
Value and Composition of Bars Manufactured for Use in the Industrial
Arts by the United States Assay Office at New York during the
Calendar Year ended December 31, 1900.
Material used.
Gold.
Silver.
Fine ounces.
Value.
Fine ounces.
Coining value.
Domestic bullion
United States coin
537,713.543
$10,908,807.08
3,303,32.5.04
15:i. 17
706,303.76
480, 143. 58
$4, 269, 673. .56
198.03
91.3,070.23
630,791.69
Foreign material
Old jewelry, etc
Total
38,287.433
101,933.714
584,753.94
2, 106,939.49
657,933.680
13,600,489.51
4,488,825.15
5,803,733.51
All United States coin used in the manufacture of bars is either
al)raded or mutilated. The relative importance of old jewelry as
material for industrial arts ajipears from the following table:
United States Bars.
Material used.
Gold.
Silver.
Philadel-
phia mint.
New York
assay
office.
Total.
Philadel-
phia mint.
New York
assay
office.
Total.
Domestic bullion
Old jewelry, etc
Foreign material
All other
Per cent.
9,5.8
3.8
.4
Per cent.
80.3
15.5
4.3
Per cent.
83.8
13. 5
3.6
.1
Per cent.
5.8
80.6
13.6
Per cent.
?3.6
10.7
15.7
Per cent.
73.4
11.9
1.5.7
Total
100
100
100
100
100
100
Upon an examination of these figures it appears that, on the wliole,
old Jewelry entered to the amount of jiliout one-eigiith into the manu-
facture of gold and silver bars. Most of it was operated upon at the
New York assay office. Tlie manufacture of silver bars at the Piiila-
delphia mint Avas very limited; nearly all the silver bullion found its
PKEOIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
85
way to the New York assay ofiice. This explains the lii^ii percentage
of old silver jewelry operated upon at tlu^ Pliiladelphia mint. The
actual quantity, however, was too small to materially alfect tlie iier-
centage in the last column.
The quantity and value of the gold and silvei’ bars sold to manufac-
turers and jewelers l)y tlie private rehneries in the United States
during the calendar year 1000 were ascertained, as in former years,
by correspondence with the refineries. An encouraging growth of
public interest to the subject of the present inquiry may be noted
from the increasing number of replies received at this Bureau to the
circulars addressed, as appears from the following table;
1900.
1899.
Firms addressed
102
81
Firms replying
97
60
97
Firms manufacturing
60
Firms not manufacturing
97
23
Eliminating those refineries which werc^ manufacturing no l)ars, out
of 65 firms addressed iji 1900, GO reiilied, whereas, in 1899, out of 58
firms addressed, only 37 replied. The results are given in the fol-
lowing table :
Bars for Industrial Use Furnished Goldsmitpis and Others by Private
Refineries during the Calendar Year 1900.
Material used.
Gold.
Silver.
Fine
ounces.
Value.
Fine
ounces.
Coining
value.
Domestic bullion, exclusive of United States bars ...
United States bars
51,25.5
17.5, 797
27,586
7
61,415
$1,0,59, .545
3,634,047
570,2.57
150
1,269,557
7. 116, .523
903, 771
6, 540
223,290
1,231,798
$9,201,161
1,168,512
8, 4.56
288,698
1,592,628
United States coin
Foreign material
Old plate, jewelry, and other old material
Total . ... . . .. ......
316,060
6, 533, 556
9,481,922
12,2.59,455
Of the bars fuiTiished by private refineries to manufacturers and
jewelers for industrial use, $3,634,047 in gold and $1,168,512 in silver
were “ United States bars” — that is, bars bearing thestamx') of Govern-
ment institutions, and, in order to avoid duplication, tliese amounts
are deducted from the totals reported by iirivate refineries.
The following table exhibits the quantity and value of gold and
silver bars sold inanufacturers and jewelers by the private refineries
in the United States, after eliminating the “United States bars,”
during the calendar year 1900:
Bars for Industrial Use Furnished Goldsmiths and Others by Private
Refineries during the Calendar Year 1900.
Material used.
Domestic bullion .
United States coin
Foreign material .
Old material
Total
Gold.
Silver.
Fine
ounces.
Value.
Fine
ounces.
Coining
value.
51,2.55
27,586
7
61,415
$1,0.59, .545
570,257
150
1,269,5.57
7,116,523
6, 540
22!1,2!10
1,231,798
$9,201,161
8,4.56
288, 698
1,592,628
140,263
2,899,509
8,578,151
11,090,943
36
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
It will be seen from this table that United States silver coin is used
very little in the manufacture of silver bars by private refineries; on
the contraiy, the quantity of United States gold coin is quite consid-
erable. The reason of the difference is obviously in the depreciation
of silver. Old material was used to a greater extent by the private
refineries than by the Philadelphia mint and New York assay office,
as appears from the following table of loercentages :
Material used.
Gold.
Silver.
Umrifistif*. Lnlliori
36.4
19.7
83
.1
2.6
14.3
United States coin
Foreign material -
Old material -
43.9
Total - -
100
100
From this table it appears that private refineries use chiefly old gold
and United States gold coin in the manufacture of gold bars, all new
gold used being onl}' somewhat above one-tliird of the entire quantity
handled by them for this purpose. The percentage of old silver, on
the contrary, does not differ materially from that found for the mint
and assay office above named.
To obtain the aggregate eonsumptio]i of gold and silver bars, the
figures for Government institutions are added to those of private refin-
eries and the results are presented in the table next following. The
figures thus obtained must needs vary from the actual quantity of bars
consumed during tlie year in the United States, inasmuch as the
amount of bars manufactured during the year in the Government
institutions is not identical with that sold by them to the trade within
the same year. Yet, in the long run, the discrepancies must be con-
fined within very narrow limits.
Gold and Silver Bars Furnished for Use in Manufactures and Arts
DURING the Calendar Year 1900.
Material used.
Gold.
Silver (coin-
ing value).
Total.
Domestic bullion
$14,5.^2,627
580,805
584, 903
3,480,612
$13,476,829
8,681
1,21.5,9:15
2,296,250
$28,a59,456
589, 486
1,800,838
5, 776,862
United State.scoin
Foreign material
Old material
Total -
19,228,047
10, 997, 695
36,226,642
Percentage Rates of Gold and Silver Bars Furnished for Use in Manu-
factures AND Arts during the Calendar Year 1900.
Material used.
Gold.
Silver.
Domestic bullion
75.8
79.4
United States coin
3.0
Foreign material
3.1
7.1
Old material
18.1
13. 5
Total
100
1(K)
Phum these figures it appears tliat tliree-quarters, in round num-
bers, of all gold bars manufactured for use in the arts in this country
is new gold of domestic production, and over oue-sixth, old jewelry,
etc.; United States coin is melted only to a very small degree.
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
87
In the mamifacture of silver bars the nse of United States coin is
practically inhnitesiinal (less than 1 per 1,0001; new domestic silver
amounts to about four-fifths, and old silver (jewelry, plate, etc.) to
over one-eighth.
To obtain the total quantity of gold and silver used in the indus-
trial arts a further allowance must be made for United States coin
melted by goldsmiths and jewelers. The results of special inquiries
made upon the subject by this Bureau will be fully summarized and
discussed in my annual report.
Estimating for the present, as in former years, the total amount of
gold coin used in the arts at $1,500,000 and silver coin at $100,000, the
industrial consumption of the precious metals in the United States
during the calendar year 1900 would bo as follows:
Industrial Consumption of the Precious Metals during the Calendar
Year 1900.
Material used.
Gold.
Silver (coin-
ing value).
Total.
Domestic bullion
§14,582,627
1,500,000
584,903
3,480,612
$13,476,829
100,000
1,215,935
2,296,250
$28,059,456
1,600, (XX)
1,800,838
5,776,862
United States coin
Foreign material
Old material
Total..
20,148,142
17,089,014
37,237,156
Tlie following table exhibits the aggregate value of all gold bars
furnished by tlie United States mint at Philadelphia and assaj^ office
at iSTew York to the trade, in exchange for gold coin, under the pro-
visions of the act of May 26, 1882:
Gold Bars Exchanged for Gold Coin at the Mint at Philadelphia and
Assay Office at New York during the Calendar Year 1900.
Months.
Philadelphia.
New York.
Total.
1900.
January
$246,934.08
145.624.22
191,284.55
191,727.12
177,091.41
166.789.22
181,758.38
241,025.02
248.703.06
299,917.00
320, 155.68
203.265.06
$795,572.08
774, 484. 37
933. 199. 24
574,872.56
9,110, 186.52
7,816,700.02
2,66.5,851.23
17,672,970.83
811,869.58
1,094,530.19
888,322.64
629. 733. 25
$1,042,506. 16
920,108.59
1, 124, 483. 79
766,599.68
9,287,277.93
7,983,489.24
2,847,609.61
17,913,995.85
1,060,572.64
1,394,447. 19
1,208,478.32
832,998.31
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Total
2,614,274.80
43,768,292. 51
46,382,567.31
These figures include both small bars manufactured for use in the
arts and large bars hianufactured for export. The total amount was
distributed as follows:
Exported... $34,529,893.63
Employed for industrial purposes 11, 852, 673. 68
Total 46,382,567.31
The amount stated to be employed for industrial purposes falls con-
siderably short of the above statements of the quantity of gold bars
manufactured for use in the arts during the calendar year 1900. The
difference represents the addition to the stock of such bars in the
vaults of the Philadelphia mint and New York assay office.
38
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
The following table shows tlie amounts and the classification of gold
and silver used in tlie industrial arts in the United States each year
since 1880:
Gold and Silver Bars Furnished for Use in Manufactures and the Arts,
AND Classification of the Material Used, by Calendar Years, since
1880.
gold.
Calendar year.
United States
coin.
New
material.
Old
material.
Foreign
bullion and
coin.
Total.
1880
$3,.300,0(K)
$6,000,000
$395, 000
$1,267,600
$10,962,600
1881
3, 700, 000
7,()0(),0(X)
533, 900
1,.547,8(X)
11,770,700
1883
3, 500, 0(H)
7, 000, (XX)
696, ,500
671, 5(X)
10,868,000
1883
4, 875, 0(H)
7,840,000
1,549,300
191,. 500
14,458,800
1884
5,000,(HX)
6, (XX), 000
3, 114, .500
as.5,5(X)
14, .5(X), (XX)
1885
3,500, (MX)
6,736,937
1,408,903
178,913
11,824,743
1886
3, 500, 0(X)
7, 003, 480
1,938,046
638,003
1:3,069, .529
1887
3,.500,(H)0
9,090,343
1,835,883
:184, 123
14,810,346
1888
3,5(X),(H)0
9,893,057
2,403,976
718,809
16, .51 4, 843
1889
3,500,000
9,686,837
3,218,971
391,3.58
16, 697, 056
1890
3,500,(HH)
10,717,473
3,076,436
363,063
17, 6.55, 960
1891
3,500,(H)0
10,697,679
4,860.713
638, 525
19,686,916
1893
3,5(K),0(H)
10,588,703
4,468,685
771,686
19,339,074
1893
1,500,000
8,354,483
3,777, 165
804,3.54
1:3,435,901
1894...
1,5(H),0(K)
6,4.30,073
3,184,946
.543, .585
10,658,604
1895
I,. 500, (HR)
8,481,789
3,976,369
471,037
13,429,085
1896
1, 5(X), O(X)
7,309,787
3,369,34:1
316,804
11,. 395. 934
1897
1,500,0(X)
7,184,833
2,571,438
613,981
11,870,2:31
1898
1,.5(X),(XX)
9,463,363
2, 164, 976
437,641
1:3, .565, 879
1899
1,500,0(X)
13,367,387
3,734,985
344,906
17,847,178
1900
1,500, (XX)
14,583,637
3,480,613
584, 9(K3
30, 148, 143
Total
58,375,000
183,328,616
50,738,524
12,157,379
304,499,519
Goi.d and Silver Bars Furnished for Use in Manufactures and the Arts,
AND Classification op the Material Used, etc.— Continued.
SILVER (COINING VALUE).
Calendar year.
United States
coin.
New
material.
Old
material.
Foreign
bullion and
coin.
Total.
1880
$600,000
$.5,000,000
$145,000
$:553,000
$6,098,000
1881
300, (X)()
5,9(X), 000
178, (XX)
:571,(XX)
6,649,000
1883
300, 000
6,344,300
213, 900
440,300
7,197,500
1883
2(X),(X)0
4,633,700
561, 900
1.5.5,000
.5, .540, 600
1884
200, (XX)
4,5(X),000
170, (XX)
650, (XX)
5, .520, 000
1885
2fX),(XX)
4, .5:59, 875
463, 186
63, 708
.5,264,769
1886
:xx), (XH)
3,636,195
404, 155
825,615
5,05.5,965
1887
300, (XX)
4, 103, 7:34
480, 6(X)
654, 991
5,4:38,X51
1888
300, (XX)
6,477,857
6.53, ai7
771,985
8, 101,889
1889
200, (XX)
7,397,9X3
611,015
657, 997
8,766,945
18(X)
3(X),000
7,34:3,6:35
640, 100
1,345,419
9,239,154
1891
3(X), (XX)
7,289,073
a58, 136
1,256, 101
9,(X)3,3(X)
1893
3(X),(XX)
7,304,310
647,377
1,349,801
9,301,:588
1893
1(X),()(X)
6, .570, 7,37
1,233,836
1,740,7(H
9,634,277
1894
1(X),(XX)
8,579,473
1,331,177
983,399
10,883,048
1895
l(X),fXX)
9,835,387
1,378,136
973, ,501
12,277,034
1896
100, (XX)
7,96.5,449
1,076,829
1,061,995
10,204,273
1897
100, (XX)
9,300,497
1,10:5, 460
797, 193
11,301,1.50
1898
1(X),(XX)
10, 176, 784
949,313
633,449
ll,a58,.545
1899
100, (XX)
13,84.5,943
2, 047, .584
684, 1.37
15,677,663
KXX)
IfX), (X)()
1.3,476,839
3,396,:J50
I,:a5,n35
17,089,014
Total
3,8(X),(XX)
1.53, 690, 6(X)
17,318,996
16,783,3:50
190,591,835
THE WORLirS INDUSTRIAL CONSUMPTION.
Since 1803 tliis Bureau has endeavored to obtain, through the United
States representatives abroad, ofiicial estimates from tlie various
countries of the world of the consumption of precious metals in the
arts and industries.
PRECIOLTS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
89
Tlie results of these inquiries, thougli at times incomplete, are con-
sidered sullicientl}^ full and accurate to encourage renewed elYorts.
Tlie interi-ogatories sent out by this Bureau for 1900 were as follows:
What was the weight of line gold used in the industrial arts during
t he calendar year 1900?
Wliat amount of this was new gold, what amount old gold, and what
amount coins?
What was the weight of tine silver used in the industrial arts dur-
ing the calendar year 1900?
What amount of this was new silver, what amount old silver, and
what amount coins?
The following verbatim ref)lies of all countries as to their consump-
tion of iirecions metals in the arts during 1900 is submitted, together
with such other matter relative to the question as was assumed to be
of value:
From Argentina. — “ Not ascertainable, as there are no statistics on
the subject.”
From Australasia. — South Australia : ‘ ‘ Can not obtain any informa-
tion on these points.” Queensland: “No information available.”
Victoria: “Impossible to ascertain.” New Zealand: “No answer.”
Tasmania: “There are no means of ascertaining. The quantities of
gold and silver used will probably be insignificant.”
From Austria-Hungary. — Austria: “The jewelry, fancy articles,
wire, etc., brought to the imperial stamping office in Vienna during
the calendar year 1900 to be stamiied, show the domestic consumiition
of gold to have been as follows:
Items.
Gross
weight.
At the aver-
age standard
of 1899, per
kilogram.
Pine gold.
Domestic articles of gold
Domestic double (plated) wares— that is, the amount of
gold placed upon them at a rate of 2.5 per cent
Wire— that is, the amount of gold placed upon it at a
rate of 1.7 per cent
Kilograms.
4,704. 125
116.000
1,722.796
. 58298
Kilograms.
2, 742. 410
■ 2.900
29.287
Total
2,774.597
“No data are given as yet showing the amount of gold consumed
during the year 1900 for other industrial uses, especially in tlie gild-
ing by fire and galvanism.
“Of the articles of gold brought to the imperial stamping office in
Vienna to be stamped, as shown in the repl}^ to interrogatory No. 4,
it is assumed that 27 per cent were manufactured of old articles of
gold, and this assumption would show that there were used in the
year 1900, 2,025.456 kilograms fine new gold and 749.141 kilograms
fine old gold. The articles brought to the imperial stamping office
during the year 1900 to be stamped, show the domestic consumi^tion of
silver to have been as follows :
Items.
Gross
weight.
At the aver-
age standard
of 1899, per
kilogram.
Pine silver.
Domestic articles of silver
Kilograms.
54,061. 855
.7943
Kilograms.
42,941.331
2,3:M. 143
Domestic wires.
Total .. . . .
45,265.474
40
PKECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
“No data are given as yet showing the amount of silver consumed
during the year 1900 for other industrial uses.
“Of the articles brought to the imperial stamping office at Vienna
to be stamped during the year 1900 it is assumed that 20 per cent v^ere
manufactured of old articles of silver, and this assumption would
show that there were used 36,212.379 kilograms fine new silver and
9,053.095 kilograms fine old silver.”
Hungary : “ No detailed data are on hand showing the amount of gold
and silver used for industrial purposes. There were presented at the
Royal Hungarian principal stamping office for the purpose of being
officially stamped —
A. — Domestic goods.
(1) Gold ware
(2) Silverware
(3) Gilt wire, containing j
(4) Silver wire
Kilograms.
1,240.873
7, 897. 849
4. 428
343.611
363.611
B. — Foreign goods.
(5) Various gold ware..
(6) Gold watches
(7) Gilt wire, containing |
(8) Various silverware
(9) Silver watches
“1.2002 kilograms pure gold and 9.175 kilograms pure silver were
used for the coinage of medals. The material used was new.”
Tlie amount used for “ other industrial purposes” is not given, but
in 1897 and since, an amount equal to 17 per cent in gold and 24 per
cent in silver of the articles stamiied was added for “other industrial
purposes.” Following this custom the consumption was as follows:
74. 537
246. 697
.089
6.821
1,682.274
.275
Items.
Kilograms, fine.
Gold.
Silver.
Austria
2,774.597
1,567.824
4.5,20.5.474
• 10,303.616
Hungary
Total
4,342.421
738.212
55,509.090
13,336.582
In addition, for “other industrial purposes’’ (gold, 17 per cent; and sil-
ver, 24 per cent)
Total consumption
COO
H-vO
68,905.072
13,781.134
Less “old material’’ (gold, 27 per cent; silver, 20 per cent)
Net consumption “new material’’
3,708.802
$2,404,910
55,124.538
$2,290,976
Coining value (United States money)
AUSTRIA-HUNGARY.
[Translated and condensed from Ergebnisse der Punzierung im Jahre i899, reprint from the
report of the imperial and royal ministry of finance.]
The law requires all gold and silver to be stamped at a Government
stamping office; an exemption is made for imported precious metals
and manufactures which bear the stamp of a foreign government
assay office. The Government is thus enabled to easily ascertain the
industrial consumption of gold and silver. The figures relating to
the same are found in the following tables:
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
41
Austria.
ARTICLES STAMPED IN GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 1899.
Description.
Kilograms, fine.
Gold.
Silver.
Domestic:
Manufactured articles
■ 1
3,006.819
33.383
43,317.367
1,696.557
603.373
Gilt wire
White wire
Total -
3,039.303
45,510.197
. Foreign:
Manufactured articles
1,468. 673
.650
13,046.438
37. 188
81.007
Gilt wire
White wire..,
Total
1,409.333
13,164.033
Grand total
4, 108.534
58,680.830
In addition to that, 25.420 kilograms of fine gold were consumed in
the manufacture of gold-plated silverware, of which 24.893 kilograms
were contained in imported goods and 75.165 kilograms of fine silver
were consumed in the manufacture of silver-plated wire; no figures
are given showing the distribution of this item between domestic and
imported goods.
As the item does not exceed, however, 0.13 per cent, it may be dis-
regarded as a negligible quantity.
The total industrial consumption for the thirty-two years from 1868
to 1899 (both inclusive) was as follows:
Kilograms, fine.
Gold.
Silver.
Domestic
55,347.377
39,436.170
984, 309. 714
343, 139. 673
Imported
Total
84,773.547
1,337,439.386
The domestic industrial consumption of gold and silver for the last
three years is given in the table below :
Gold.
Year.
Kilograms, fine.
Per cent.
Manufac-
tured arti-
cles.
All others.
Total.
Manu-
factured
articles.
All
others.
1897
3,353.a39
543. no
3,895.449
3,058.545
3,135.310
81.3
18.8
1898
3,537.663
3, 639. 303
530. 883
83.9
17.1
1899
496. 108
84.3
15.8
Silver.
Year.
Kilograms, fine.
Per cent.
Manufac-
tured arti
cles.
All others.
Total.
Manu-
factured
articles.
All
others.
1897
44,353. 138
13,053. 663
13,561.894
13,655.939
57,304.801
77.3
33.8
1898
46,975.388
45, 510. 197
59,537.383
58, 173 136
78.9
21.1
1899
78.3
31.8
42
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
The second column (“All others”) includes all gold and silver con-
sumed in galvanizing, gold and silver plating, manufacturing gold
aud silver leaves, photography, dentistry, etc.
A classification of all gold employed in the industrial arts shows
the following results :
Classification.
Kilograms, fine.
Per cent.
1898.
1899.
1898.
1899.
1. Coin
2, 12G. 892
443. 1.55
2,2.50.565
468.034
69.54
71.78
2. Alloyed gold
14.49
14.93
3. Native gold
132. 272
166. 278
4.32
5. 30
4. Fine gold
3,56.226
250.433
11.65
7.Jt5l
Total
3,058.545
3, 13;5.310
100
100
A specification of the gold coins melted for use in the industrial ai-ts
is found in the following table :
Description.
Number of pieces.
1898.
1899.
Ducats
140,7.50
3,417
176,025
40,9.57
41,961
145,161
4,297
172,305
69,055
31,547
Frajiz-.Toseph d’or
20-W’anc pieces
20-mark pieces
Other coin
Total - -
403, no
4.‘«,3&'
Tlie ratio of old jeweliy, xdate, etc., remelted for use in tlie indus
trial arts is estimated as follows:
Per cent,
1894 3(
1895 30
189G 27
1897 , 27
The last rate (27 per cent) is accejited for tlie year 1899, which gives
2,288.770 kilograms, fine, of the new iproduct used for the first time in
the industrial arts, and 840. 534 kilograms, fine, of old material remelted
for use in the arts.
A classification of all silver einjiloyed in the arts gives the following
results :
Classification.
Kilograms, fine.
Per cent.
1898.
1899.
1898.
1899.
1. Coins
513. 345
662. 570
.86
1.10
2. Alloyed silver
4, 848. .562
1, 295.4:11
52,879.944
5, 715. 354
1,489.461
.50,304.731
8.14
9.80
3. Native silver
2. 18
2. 60
4. Fine silver
88.82
86. .50
Total
59,537.282
58, 172. 12ti
100
100
It is estimated that 20 i:»er cent of all this silver is old silver, xfiate,
etc., remelted foi* use in the industrial arts, which gives for the year
1899 11,034.425 kilograms, fine, of old silver, and 40,537.701 kilograms,
fine, of new silver.
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
48
The imports of gold and silver articles bearing foreign assay office
stainj) is shown in the following table:
Metals.
Kilogram.s, flue.
1898.
1899.
Gold
1,446.394
13,064.541
1,494.215
13, 164. 6,23
Silver
This inchides the fine gold contents of gold-jilated silverware.
The total industrial consumption of the precious metals is sum-
marized in the following table :
RECAPITULATION.
Classification.
Gold.
Silver.
1898.
1899.
1898.
1899.
Articles of domestic production
Kiloqrams
2,232.738
1,446.394
Kilograms.
2, 288. 776
1,494. 215
Kilograms.
47,629.826
13,0(14.541
Kilograms.
46,537.701
13, 164. 623
Imported..
Total
3,679.132
3,782.991
60, 694. 367
59,702.32-4
C
Hungary.
According to reports from the Ro^-al Hungarian stamping office the
following quantities of gold and silver were assayed in Hungary:
Classification.
Kilograms, fine.
Gold.
Silver.
1898.
1899.
1898.
1899.
Domestic:
Manufactured articles
Gilt wire..
White wire
814. 179
7.236
784.585
9. 163
9,852.553
509. 172
262. 742
7,831.111
544. 719
405.658
Total
821.415
793. 748
10,624.467
8,781.488
Imported:
Manufactured articles
Gilt wire
207. 000
.019
167.000
.097
2,493.586
1.398
2,2a3. 387
6.835
Total
207.019
167.097
2,494.984
2,210.222
No white silver wire was imported in 1898 and 1899.
The total industrial consumption for the thirty-two years from 18G8
to 1899 (both inclusive) was as follows:
Classification.
Kilograms, fine.
Gold.
Silver.
Domestic
13,654.017
2,721.313
95,968.993
23,385.335
Foreign
Total ,
16,375.330
119,354.328
44
PRECIOUS METALS IK THE UNITED STATES.
Bosnia. — The consimijition of the precious metals in the industrial
arts in 1899 was as follows:
Classification.
Kilograms, fine.
Gold.
Silver.
Domestic
0.067
.977
273.47.3
11.647
Imported - -
Total
1.044
'Ml. 120
From Brazil. — “ No data, but the amount was small.”
From British India. — “ Estimate of the quantity of gold annually
employed in industry: There are no data from which to make an
estimate, excejit that it may be said that all the uncoined gold imported
is manufactured into plate and ornaments. All the gold produced in
India is exported to London.
“Estimate of the quantity of silver annually employed in industry:
Until the closure of the Indian mints in June, 1893, practically all the
silver imported into India (none is produced in the country) was coined
either in the mints of the government or in those of the native states.
Much of the coin was withdrawn annually from circulation to be hoarded
or converted into ornaments, but there are no data, except the imports
of silver during the i)eriod since the closure of the government mints,
on which to frame an estimate of the quantity actually so withdrawn.
The import trade in silver was materially influenced for a period bj
speculation arising out of the special and transitory conditions which
followed the closure of the mints, and the two famines of 1896-97
and 1899-1900 have also specially affected the imports, which, there-
fore, still form an uncertain basis on which to frame an estimate. It
is also not i)0ssible to say what proportion of the imported silver is
hoarded in the form of ruj)ees, bars, or ingots, and what proportion is
manufactured into ornaments and plate.”
From Central America. — Costa Rica: “No means of knowing.”
Guatemala : ‘ ‘ Impossible to ascertain. ” Nicaragua: ‘ ‘ As near as can
be estimated, about 75 ounces of gold was used in the industrial arts
(50 ounces coin, 20 ounces old, and 5 ounces new).
“About 1,600 ounces of silver were used in the industrial arts dur-
ing calendar year 1900 (1,000 ounces coin, 600 ounces old silver).
“These estimates are made as accurate as i^ossible from informa-
tion obtained from the manufacturers. No statistics of the kind are
found, and the manufacturers buy their coin from travelers and old
silver and gold from iirivate parties.”
From DenmarJc. — “Minister of finance unable to give any infor-
mation.”
From Ecuador. — ^“None.”
From Egypt. — “No means of knowing.”
From Finland. — “The official reports contain statements of the
weight of gold and silver articles of manufacture assayed within the
grand duchy since 1827 :
PKKOIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
45
Weiuht of Gold and Silver Articles of Manufacture Assayed in
Finland.
Year.
Gold.
Silver.
1827-1891)
Grams.
3,852, 979
170, 471
197, 497
193, 5.54
Grams.
39, 05.5, .5.30
1,203,630
1,278,120
1,380,870
1897
1898
iS99 -
Total -
3,414,501
42,918,1.50
From France. — “Gold, 26,000 kilograms, fine; silver, 246,000 kilo-
grams, fine. No information as to new or old material.” (Dr. Soet-
beer, in his estimates for the industrial consumption in France,
calculated that 20 per cent of it was old material.)
From Germany. — “Inquiries have so far been made on the subject
only for the years 1896 and 1897, and the results were embodied in
tlie answers to the interrogatories for the calendar year 1898.
“Regarding silver used in the industrial arts daring calendar year
1900, in the absence of official information these questions can not be
answered.”
From Great Britain. — “No information available.”
The Bureau of the Mint has received no official information as to
tiie industrial gold consumption of England in 1900, and recourse is
tiierefore had, as last year, to an estimate of the same. According to
the memorandum hy Mr. W. Chandler Roberts- Austen, chemist and
assayer, published in the reports of the deputy master of the royal
mint, London, the number of ounces of gold wares assayed and marked
by the wardens of the assay offices at Birmingham and Chester
annually from 1889 was as follows:
Year.
1889,
1890
1891
1893
1893
1894
1895
1896
1897
1898
1899
1900
Birming-
ham.
Troy ozs.
158, 709
193, 426
3:50, 136
228,018
229,016
223, 759
239,473
283,423
311,335
33:1,741
362,481
371,433
Chester.
Troy ozs.
41,883
51,160
53, 715
55,789
61,318
62, 443
73,283
97,281
109, 187
i:30, 480
148,895
16-4,958
Total.
Troy ozs.
^,653
244, .592
283,851
283,807
290,334
386,201
312, 7,55
380, 704
430, .522
464,221
,511,376
536,391
Tliese figures are far from representing the total industrial gold
consumption of the United Kingdom, which must, if we are to be
guided by earlier estimates, be placed at, at least, twice these amounts.
Professor Lexis estimated it to have been, in 1895, 500,000 ounces,
or about 15,500 kilograms, net.
The wares stamped have increased 71^ per cent since that date,
equal to an increase of 11,082|^ kilograms, which, after deducting 25
per cent for old material, would give a net increase of 8,312 kilograms;
hence this Bureau estimates the gold consumption for 1900 at 23,812
kilograms.
46
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
No official estimate for silver has been received, and hence the
report of Mr. Roberts-Austen of the amounts stanix^ed at the assay
office is given ;
Year.
Birmiiig-
bani.
Sheffield.
Chester.
Total.
1894 -
Ounces.
1,401,449
1,796,056
2,117,633
3,303,157
3,530,019
2,833,535
3,957,679
Ounces.
496, 143
715,248
923,483
974,477
1,165,017
1,333,917
1,253,688
Ounces.
337,250
311, 634
473,887
556,801
593, 783
741,044
889,953
Ounces.
2, 134,847
2, 832, 928
3,513,991
3,834,4a5
4,287,819
4,888,486
5,100,330
1895 -
189(3
1897
1898
1899
1900 — -
Professor Lexis estimated the net silver consiimiition of England in
1895 at 140,000 kilograms. The wares stamped have increased 81 per
cent since that date, equal to an increase of 113,400 kilograms, or
85,050 kilograms net (deduction of 25 i)er cent being made for old
material). Hence this Bureau estimates the silver consumijtion for
1900 at 225,050 kilograms.
From Greece. — “Not known.”
From Haiti. — “No statistics.”
From Japan. — “Unknown.”
From Korea. — “No statistics available.”
F7'om Liberia. — “Gold, none; silver, unknown.”
From the Netherlands. — “The quantity of gold used in industrial
works in the year 1900 may be fixed at 028 kilograms of fine gold.
What amount of this was new or old gold is unknown.
“Tlie quantity of silver used in indnstrial Avorks in the year 1900
may be fixed at 10,951 kilograms of fine silver. What amount of this
Avas new or old silver is unknown.”
From Noi'ivay. — “It is not jAossible to give any information as to
the Aveight and value of gold and silver used during the year in tlie
industrial arts.”
From Peru. — “Not ascertainable.”
From Portugal.- — “The gold emx)loyed in industrial arts (by gold-
smiths) amounted, approximately, to 2,036 kilograms.
“The silver emj^loyed in the industrial arts (by silversmiths)
amounted, aiAXU’Oximately, to 8,585 kilograms.”
From Russia. — “The ImxAerial mint suxixAlied 16 lAounds of fine
gold to the Imx)erial i)otteries and to Messrs. Korniloff’s china AA^orks.”
From San Salvador. — Gold, “estimated 1,000 ounces, fine;” siWer,
‘ ‘ estimated 450 xAOunds. No statistics are available as to Avhat amount
of tills Avas ncAv or old material.”
From Siam. — No answer.
From South Africa. — Cape Colon}^: “It is regretted that the colo-
nial treasury is not in a iiosition to furnish particulars under these
headings.” Natal: “No available information.” Transvaal: “No
gold Avas used in industrial arts.”
From Spain. — “ This datum does not exist. Not knoAvn.”
From Sweden. — “ The quantity of gold and silver annually used in
Sweden in the industrial arts can not j^ossibly be stated exactly, but
according to information given by the Royal assay office the weight of
the objects stamiied there annually amounts to about 600 kilograms
of fine gold and 5,500 kilograms of fine silver. It is imiiossible to say
how large a i)roportion of these amounts was obtained by melting coin
riiEOIOUS METALvS IN THE UNITED STATES.
47
or old gold and silver objects. For striking medals, 10 kilograms
gold and 250 kilograms silver were used during the same year. For
this purpose new gold and silver were exclusively used.”
From Sivitzerland. — “ Tlie total weight of line gold used in tiie
industrial arts in Switzerland during the year 1900 amounts to about
10,730 kilograms (37,000,000 francs). ” (Those figures are only approx-
imative, as there does not exist in Switzerland any official control
over jeweliy.) “Of this quantity, about G,420 kilograms (22,150,000
francs) were new gold and about 4,310 kilograms (14,870,000 francs)
were old gold. The coins melted down are included among tlie new
gold. Tlie exact proiiortions of these, however, can not be specified.
Tlie total weight of fine silver used in the industry in 1900 amounts
to about 77,000 kilograms (8,000,000 francs), calculation based upon
current values. Of this quantity were new silver about 56,500 kilo-
grams (5,876,000 francs), and old silver about 20,500 kilograms
(2,132,000 francs). What concerns the melting of silver coins for use
in the industrial arts, we believe that no such operation will be effected
at this time, as, according to the actual value of silver bullion, the
melting of silver coins would imx^ose on the manufacturer a loss of 53
per cent (the intrinsic value of a 5-franc piece being only 2.34 francs
actually).”
From Turkey. — “There are no statistics.”
For other countries. — For other countries the consumption of gold
is estimated at 5,000 kilograms — following x)revious estimates of this
Bureau — and of silver at 50,000 kilograms, being Dr. Soetbeer’s esti-
mate in 1835 with 25 per cent added.
The following table of the world’s industrial consumption was com-
l)iled from the above returns, the figures for 1899 being used where no
official information was received for 1900:
The World’s Industrial Consumption of Gold and Silver in 1900.
Country.
Austria-Hungary
Belgium
Brazil
Central America .
Egypt
Finland
France
Germany
Great Britain
Italy
Netherlands
Paraguay
Portugal
Russia
San Salvador
Sweden
Switzerland
United States
Other countries ..
Gold.
Silver.
Weight.
Value.
Weight.
Coining
value.
Commercial
value.
Kilograms.
Kilograms.
3,709
$2,464,900
55,125
$2,291,000
$1,098,000
2,543
750
1,690,100
498,400
1,200
20,000
831,200
398, 600
2
31
1,300
600
1,077
715,800
5,034
209,200
100,3lMt
194
128,900
1,381
57,400
27,.5lK)
20,800
13, 823, 700
196,800
' 8,179,000
3,922,100
10,743
7, 139,800
150,000
6,234,000
2,989,400
23,812
15,82.5,500
225,0.50
9,:3.53, 100
4,485,100
5,000
3,323,000
21,000
872, 800
418,.5(.H)
628
417, 400
10,951
455, 100
218, 2(X)
3
2,000
100
4,200
2,000
2,0:36
1,35:3, 100
8,585
a56,800
171, 1(H)
4,259
2, 8:30, .500
114,733
4,768,300
2, 286, 6(H)
31
20, 700
168
7,000
3,400
610
405,400
5,750
56, 500
239,000
114,600
6,420
4,266,7(X)
2,348, 100
1, 126, 000
25,079
16, 667, ,500
355,938
14,792,800
7, 093, 6(H)
5,000
3,323,000
50,000
2,078,000
996, 500
112, 696
74,897,600
1,277, 146
53,078,300
25,452,700
Total
48
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
WORLD'S PRODUCTION OF GOLD AND SILVER IN 1900.
The world’s ^2:okl iiroduction in 1900 was 384,641 kilograms, or
12,366,319 ounces, fine, of the value of 1255,634,500.
The result is largely an estimate, since most of the foreign countries
collect no statistics of the production of gold and silver, and the data
must be obtained from their exports and coinage. In many cases the
official figures are a year or two late, and the product for 1900 must be
assumed to be equal to that of the last year for which official informa-
tion is available, and, further, the amount of local consumption in the
industrial arts is largely a matter of conjecture.
These matters are more fully treated in Part II, under the heads of
the several countries.
It was estimated last year that the possible error from all sources
in the figures for 1899 might amount to a deficiency of not more than
3 per cent of the world’s gold product.
Upon a comparison of the preliminary estimate for 1899 made in
the preceding report with the corrected figures for the same year
received since, tlie difference appears to be about 0.2 i^er cent only,
with four countries still to hear from ; the aggregate product of those
countries does not exceed, however, 0.05 per cent of the world’s pro-
duction, and could not affect the result. This does not include ]30s-
sible inaccuracies in the final results, but materially reduces the
estimated error.
The hostilities in the Transvaal reduced the world’s production of
1900 by $64,000,000, but tlie decrease was partly made up by the
increases in other countries, reducing the net decrease to $51,534,300,
or about one-sixth of the world’s output for 1899, Notwithstanding
this extraordinary loss, the gold production of 1900 was considerabl}^
in excess of that of 1897. Eliminating Africa, the gold production of
1900 shows an increase over the previous year amounting, in round
numbers, to $12,800,000, which is equal to 5.5 per cent. There is no
reason to ai^prehend a decline in gold mining for some years to come.
Operations have been resumed in the Transvaal. Australia, particu-
larly West Australia, is not yet half developed ; Alaska and the Yukon
have only fairly begun to produce, while the recent steady increase in
Colorado and other Western States shows no sign of abating. The
present outinit differs from that in the fifties, when the California
placers yielded such enormous stores of gold, because those could be
exliausted, more or less speedily, while the present yield comes from
the working of low-grade ore, rendered profitable by improved modern
methods of reduction, and is practically unlimited.
The following table shows, in round numbers, the increase and
decrease for 1900 as compared with 1899 :
Gold.
Country.
Increase
in I'JOO.
Decrease
in 1900.
Unitod States
$8,117,600
500. 000
Mexico -
Canada
6,556,300
Africa
$64,351,100
5,833,700
3,031,600
Australasia
Russia
Austria-Hungary.
198,000
Germany i
8,300
11,800
39,900
Sweden
Italy
Si)ain
6,000
317,400
Great Britain
Argentina
94,000
PKECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
49
(jrOLi) — Continued.
Country.
Increase
in llKK).
Decrease
in 1!)00.
Chile -
S:j:i!),ooo
(Jolombia -
$049, 700
Ecuador
.'59,800
1,180,800
Brazil ..
Guiana:
British -
4,000
11,2<KI
108, (HI)
Dutch
French
Peru - -
2k, .500
3,300
Urueuav
Centi’al America
86, 100
Korea
3,041,000
770, 700
146,300
317,400
British India
East Indies:
British .• —
Dutch
Total -
21,674,000
73, 208, OIK)
51, 534, 300
Not decrease
The world’s i^rodnctioii of silver in 1900 was 5,377,008 kilograms,
or 172,838,870 ounces, fine, of a United States coining value of
$223,408,200 and of a commercial value of $107,159,900, For the
reasons stated above these figures are only aiii.)roxiniations. A com-
parison of tlie preliminary figures for 1899 compiled last year with
tlie corrected figures appearing in the present report sliows a total
difference of 0.2 per cent, with four countries to liear from, Tlie
aggregate silver production of those countries amounts to about 2
per cent of the world’s output. An allowance must be made for the
inaccuracy of the final official results obtained in most countries. A
critical examination of the figures for 1900 leads to tlie conclusion
that tlie deficiency is probably less than 5 per cent of the product of
the world, except China, whose production is an unknown quantity.
The silver xiroduction of 1900 is the largest ever known, and exceeds
four times the xiroduction of 1870, more than twice the X)i‘oduction of
1880, and that of 1890 by 37 per cent. The increase over the x^revious
year is more than 5,000,000 ounces, fine, more thanyine-half of which
is due to the United States.
The following table shows the increase and decrease for 1900 as
comxiared with 1899 :
Silver.
Country.
Increase
in 1900.
Decrease
in 1900.
United States
Fine ozs.
2,882,5(K)
1,825,718
l,(tt7,lll
602,665
8,412
93,521
Fine ozs.
ATpviV.n .. . . -
(ln.Tm.r1n. ... .. -
A nst.rn.la..m*a
Hussiai .. - .... ...
Aiistria.-Unnga.ry
(Tf*rTrm,Tiy .. ..... -
830,612
Norway
5,931
Sweden . -
1 1 , liiHi
68, U6
732,376
35, 091
Great Bintain
A 7’ppn hiim, _
346,705
1,657,398
Colombia .
pArn .
770,580
155
101,115
80, 659
TTrriP*nn.v
(^ATifi’n.l AmArir^n. . .
TAnt.ph Knsh Tnrlips ..
Total .. .. .. -
8,175,834
5,261,337
2,914,497
Met increase .
12060—01 4
50
PEEOIOUS METALS IK THE UHITED STATES
The following table shows, by calendar j^ears, the lorodnction and
value of gold and silver in the world since 1860:
Product of Gold and Silver in the World Since 1860.
[The annual production of 1860 to 1873 is obtained from 5-year period estimates, cormhled by Dr.
Adolph Soetbeer. Since 1873 the estimates are those of the Bureau of the Mint.]
Calendar years.
Gold.
Silver.
Pine ounces.
Value.
Fine ounces.
Commercial
value.
Coining value.
I860..
6, 486, 363
$134,083,000
39,095,428
$39,337,000
$37,618,000
1861...
5,949,583
123,989,000
35,401,973
46,191,000
45,773,000
1863 —
5,949,583
132, 989,000
35,401,973
47,651,000
45,773,000
1863
5,949,583
123,989,000
35,401,973
47,616,000
45,773,000
1864
5,949,583
123,989,000
35,401,973
47,616,000
45,773,000
1865
5,949,583
133,989,000
35,401,973
47,368,000
4.5,772,000
1866
6,370,086
129,614,000
43.051,583
57,646,000
55,663,000
1867
6,370,086
139,614,000
43,051,583
57, 173,000
55,663,000
1868 -
6,370,086
129,614,000
43,051,583
57,086,000
55,663,000
1869
6,370,086
139,614,000
43,0.51,583
57,04:1,000
55,663,000
1870
6,370,086
129.614,000
43,051,583
57,17:1,000
55,663,000
1871
5,591,014
115,577,000
63,317,014
83,958,000
81,864,000
1873
5,591,014
115,577,000
63,317,014
83,705,000
81,864,000
Total
78,766,630
1,628,353,000
547,997,231
729,563,000
708,531,000
1873
4,653,675
96, 200, 000
63,267,187
83,120,800
81,800,000
1874
4,390,031
90,750,000
55,300,781
70,674,400
71,-500,000
1875
4,716,563
97,500,000
63,261,719
77,-578,100
80,500,000
1876
5,016,488
103,700,0(X)
67,753,125
78,333,600
87,600,000
1877
5,513, 196
113,947,200
63,679,916
75,378,600
81,040,700
1878
5.761,114
119,093,800
73,385,451
84,540,000
94,882,200
1879
5,363,174
108,778,800
74,383,495
83,533,700
96, 173, (iOO
1880
5,148,880
106,436,800
74,795,273
85,640,600
96,705,000
1881
4,983,743
103,023,100
79,030,872
89,935,700
103,168,400
1883
4,934,086
101,996,600
86, ”^3, 091
98,3:13,300
lll,803,3f>:)
1883
4,614,588
95,392,000
89, ^ 1 5, 033
98,984,300
115, 297, (WO
1884
4,931,169
101,729,600
81,567,801
90,785,000
105,461,4(W
1885
5,345,573
108,435,600
91,609,959
97,-518,800
118,445,200
1886
5,135,679
106.163,900
93,297,290
93,793,-500
130,636,800
1887
5,116,861
105,774,900
96,123,586
94,0:11,000
124,381,000
1888
5,330,775
110,196,900
108,837,606
103,185,900
140,706,400
1889
5,973,790
133,489,200
120,213,611
11.2, 414,100
155,437,700
1890
5,749,306
118,848,700
126,095,062
131,937,000
163. 032, (WO
1891
6,330, 194
130,&50,000
137,170,919
135,500,200
177,353,300
1893
7,094,266
146,651,500
153,151.763
• 133,404,400
198,014,400
1893
7,618,811
157,494,800
165,473,631
129,119,900
213,944,400
1894
8,764,363
181,175,600
164,610,394
104,493,000
312, 839, 600
1895
9,615,190
198,763,600
167,500,960
109,-545,600
316,566,900
1896
9,783, 914
203,251,600
1.57,061,370
105,859,300
303,009,2(W
1897
11,420,068
2:36,073,700
160,421,082
96,253,700
207,413,000
1898
13,877,806
286,879,700
169,055,253
99,742,600
218,576,8(W
1899
14,859,285
307, 168, 800
167,577,5:13
100,-546,-500
216,665,700
1900
12,366,319
355,634,500
172,8:18,870
107, 159, 900
333,468,300
Total
194,186,904
4,014,199,900
3,131,090,613
2,768,119,-500
4,035,349,200
Grand total
373,953,534
5,643,451,900
3,669,087,843
3,497,683,5''9
4,743,870,2(W
WORLD’S COINAGE 1S08, 1S09, AND WOO.
Ill the Apiiemlix will lie found a table, revised from the latest infor-
mation received, exhilhtiiig the coinages of the various countries of
the world during the calendar years 1898, 1899, and lUUU.
Coinage of Nations.
Calendar year.
Gold.
Silver.
1898
$395,477,905
466,110,614'
354,936,497
$149,282,936
166,326,964
177,011,903
1899
1900
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
51
AVliilc tlio jibovo ligures reprosont, as accurately as tlie Jlureau lias
been able to ascertain, the total value of the gold and silver coinage
of the world during the calendar years 1898, 1890, and 1900, tliey do
not accurately t5e value of the coinage from now material
alone, but include the value of the recoinage of foreign and domestic
coins and that derived from old material, idate, jewelry, etc., melted
and used in coinage. JMany foreign governments in their reiiorts to
the Bureau failed to sex>*irate the values of the coinage derived from
these various sources.
The following table exhibits, by calendar years, the line ounces and
value of the gold and silver coinage of the world since 1873:
Coinage of G-old and Silver by the Mints of the World for the Calendar
Years since 1873.
Calendar years.
Gold.
Silver.
Pine ounces.
Value.
Fine ounces.
Coining value.
1873
12,462,890
8257,630,802
101,741,421
$1.31,544,464
1874
6, 568, 279
135,778,387
79,610,875
102,931,232
1875
9,480,892
195,987,428
92,747,118
119,915,467
1876
10,309,645
213,119,278
97,899,525
126,-577,164
1877
9, 753, 196
201, 616, 466
88,449,796
114,359,332
1878
9,113,202
188,386,611
124,671,870
161,191,913
1879
4,390,167
90,752,811
81,124,555
104,888,31.3
1880
7,242,951
149,725,081
65,442,074
84,611,974
1881
7,111,864
147,015,275
83,539,051
108,010,086
1882... :
4,822,851
99,697, 170
85,685,996
110,785,934
1883
5,071,882
104,845,114
84,541,904
109,306,705
1884
4,810,061
99,432,795
74, 120, 127
95,832,084
1885
4,632,273
95,757,-582
98,044,475
126,761,574
1886 >
4,578,310
94,642,070
96,566,844
124,854,101
1887 7
6,046,510
124,992,465
126,388,-502
163,411,397
1888
6,522,346
134,828,855
104,354,000
134,922,-344
1889
8,170,611
168,901,519
107,788,2-56
139,362,595
1890
7,219,725
149,244,965
117,789,228
152,293,144
1891
5,782,463
119,-534,122
106,962,049
138,294,:567
1892
8,343,387
172,473,124
120,282,947
155,517,347
1893
11,243,342
232,420,517
106,697,783
137,952,690
1894
11,025,680
227,921,ft32
87,472,-523
113,095,788
1895
11,178,855
2.31,087,438
98,128,8-32
126,873,642
1896
9,476,639
195,899,517
123,394,239
159,540,027
1897
21,174,850
437,722,992
129,775,082
167,790,006
1898
19,131,244
395,477,905
115,461,020
149,282,9:56
1899
22,548,101
466,110,614
128,566,167
166,226,964
1900
17,170,053
354,936,497
136,907,643
177,011,902
Total
265,382,269
5,485,938,432
2, 804,153,902
3,703,148,492
<9
REPORTS OF THE SPECIAL AGENTS OF THE BUREAU OF THE MINT
ON THE PRODUCTION OF THE PRECIOUS METALS IN 1000
IN THE SEVERAL STATES AND TERRITORIES.
t
r' .
>
>
^li*
0
\
,<i- *
V
m
4
ALASKA.
By Charles G. Yale.
It is necessary in ascertaining the gold and silver output of Alaska
each year to depend entirely upon the statements of receipts of Alaska
bullion at United States mints, at assay offices, and j>rivate refineries
and smelters to make any “distribution” or apportionment of the
relative amount produced by any separate district or camp. The
population of the placer camps along the Yukon River and its tribu-
taries and on the coast of Norton Sound varies greatly with the season,
comparatively few men remaining during the winter. Most of the
work and all of the gold washing is done in the summer months wlien
tlie water is flowing and no ice interferes with operations. Large
numbers of miners leave these camps each fall to return in the spring,
so it is found impracticable to obtain results of individual operations
in the more distant places where mail communication takes much time^
and is infrequent.
It is possible, however, to aiDproximately aj)portion the amount of
gold derived from the placers and that from the quartz mines, for the
reason that all the quartz mines in active or i^roductive operation
thus far are on Douglas Island and other parts of south eastern
Alaska, and on Unga Island, where there is regular communication
all the year round and where work is continued throughout the year.
Moreover, these quartz mines are operated by companies which have
regular offices, and direct returns are received from them as to their
output annually. On receiving these returns and deducting the aggre-
gate from the total output of Alaska, it is seen how much comes from
the placer camps, though, for the reasons previously stated, it is diffi-
cult to ascertain with any exactness the output of any particular camp.
An attempt has been made, however, to ascertain approximately the
amount yielded by Nome and adjacent placers. With the total of
the Nome output added to that of the quartz mines, it is seen what
gold has come from all the other scattered camps, such as Minook,
Circle City, the Koyukuk, Porcux^ine district, etc.
The following table shows the gold and silver product of Alaska for
the calendar year 1900:
Statement of Bullion of Alaskan Production Received at United States
Mints and Assay Offices and Private Refineries and Smelters during
Calendar Year 1900.
Metal.
Standard
ounces.
Coining
value.
Gold
438, 932. 58
83,131.24
S8, 106, 187. 46
96,734.50
Silver
As the entire gold product of Alaska in 1899 was $5,602,012, it is
seen that there has been for the year an increase of $2,564,175 in the
output of that metal. This large proportionate increase is due almost
55
56
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
entirely to the outjint of the gold fields at Cape Nome and vicinity.
Tlie silver output shows cpiite a marked falling off. At tlie United
States mints and assay offices some increase in silver is sliown, hut the
returns from j)rivate refineries and smelters are veiy much less than
in the previous year.
In comparing the direct returns received from the large (piartz
mines on Douglas and Unga islands with similar ones of the previous
year, it is found that there is a decrease of $343,287 gold in 1900.
Some of the smaller quartz mines in southeastern Alaska showed a
slight increase in theii* product, hut not enough to make up the
deficiency stated.
Returns from the quartz mines show a total product for 1900 of
$2,089,818. Fi'om the Nome fields, according to returns to mints,
assay offices, and refineries, there came $5, 100,000 gold. This leaves
the sum of $970,309 as the total output of all the rest of Alaska,
including some placers in southeastern Alaska, a few quartz mines
which made no returns, the various camps on the Yukon River and
its tributaries, Cook Inlet, etc. Gold from some of the caiu2)s out-
side of Nome, along Norton Sound, or, for instance, those to the
westward of Nome, as well as Golofnin Ba}’’ mines, is doubtless
included in the figures for Cape Nome, the shipments having been
made from that point.
The Litu^^a Ba}^ beach-sand mines were not worked in 1900, and
comparatively little came from the beach-sand claims at Nome.
It is conceded by all who return from Cape Nome — now the most
iniportaut mining camp in Alaska— that the unfortunate legal com-
plications which arose there during the season of 1900, resulting in
many claims being placed in the liands of a receiver, veiy greatlv
retai-ded development and restricted production. On numb(u‘s of
claims known to be rich no work was done for fear of litigation, and
the season was a disastrous one for many miners. All this has since
been remedied, however, and the camp will soon i-ea.(*h its full pro-
ductive capacity.
Moreovei*, the conditioiis for the future are more iiromising, since
a better class of men, generally speaking, Avill make up the popula-
tion. Tlie thousands of people with no knowledge of prosjiecting or
mining, who were attracted b3’’the iiossibilities of sudden Avealth, will
be greatl}^ lessened in nunibei*s, and those who remain Avill be of a class
better calculated to develop the country.
Numbers of ucav creeks cariying gold in their beds Avere found dur-
ing the season of 1900, but the extent of their richness remained to
be pi-oven in tlui folloAving year. All the AA’^a.y round the coast to
Bering Stmits, and far liack into the interior, the struggling arni}^ of
l)i‘os})ectors took up the seai’ch for gold. A number of ncAv and
smaller camps AA^ere established AAdiere some active Avork AA’^as done,
but in most instances only preparations Avere made foi- pi*oductiA^e
Avork in the folloAving jmar.
Strikes almost Avithout number AA'^ere reported in many directions
from Nome, and in a fcAA^ places it AA^as predicted that actiA^e Avoi*k
would shoAv even more favorable conditions than preA^ailed at Nome
itself. Th(5 season of 1901 aauU prove or disi)roA^e these assertions.
Over in Golofnin Bay district, on the tributaries of the Fish River,
notabty on Ophii- Creek, considerable de\'^eloj)ment AA^ork AA^as done
and more or less gold taken out. Some machineiy AA^as brought in,
reservoirs built, ditches dug, and preparations made for AA’orking on
a more extended scale the folloAving season. Some very good “bench
v»
J
U n I
Q t;iDi
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNI^g>^^STA'^EJ^*^g.,
diggings”up on tlio sides of the canyon above t.lie bedStf
liave been opened and worked profitably, finite a camp has now
grown np at Council City, on Fisli River, which is the center of that
district.
Farther along the coast from Cape Nome and toward Port Clarence
and C.ape Prince of AVales seemed to be the region of t.he most active
prospecting, and some veiy good diggings were found, rather too late
in the season, however, to make much ])rodnct. No beach diggings
as extensive as those at Nome ^vei*e found, though a few isolated rich
spots were discover('d and worked. South of St. Michael, where the
Kuskokwim River empties into tbe Poring Sea, new diggings were
re])orted, but. little definite is j^et known of them.
Up toward the head of the Koyukuk River, one of f,he larges f.ribii-
taries of the Yukon, diggings were worked with but indifferent suc-
cess, though much was expected of them.
In that i*egion arc large banks of auriferous gravel, which, miners
report, would pa}" handsomely to work by hydraulic process, but as
yet no hydraulic plants have been established or ditches dug to bring
water on the ground. In view of the short water season in that far
northern region, which is up in the Arctic Circle, it is doubtful if any
extensive operations for hydraulicking will over be undertaken. Some
gold was taken fi-oin the bars on the main river and smaller branches,
but not in any large amount.
The camp of Minook has a few claims which arc reported as yield-
ing well, but hundi*eds of claims, located when the camp was first
found in 1897, have not been woi'ked and have been practically given
up, the men having left for richer diggings.
So much attention has, in fact, beeii given to the region around
Nome that the diggings at Circle City, Minook, Koyukuk, etc., have
attracted comparatively few prospectors or miners. Much is expected
in the season of 1901 for the Bluestone and Kougarok districts, espe-
cially the latter.
In the Turnagain Arm district. Cooks Inlet, where there was great
excitement before the discovery of the Nome fields, some i)rofitable
work was done in the fall of 1900, a particularly rich strike having
been made on ]>ear Creek, one pocket yielding largely. There were
several strikes made in f.he district on streams supposed to contain no
gold, but which are now paying.
On Douglas Island, southeastern Alaska, the quartz mining and
milling operations are on as extensive a scale as in any place in the
world, though the grade of the ore is low. With water power and
stamp mills of large capacity ore worth only about $2 is made to pay.
The three large mines on the island, which are under one management,
though in separate companies, employ 805 men, and in 1900 crushed
and treated at their mills 912, -117 tons of ore, or over 70,000 tons
monthly throughout the year.
Statement of Bullion of Northwest Territory Production Received at
United States Mints and Assay Offices and Private Refineries and
Smelters during Calendar Year 1900.
Metal.
Standard
ounces.
Coining value.
Gold
1,205,0.54.943
290,810.03
$22,419,620.85
345,378.94
58
PEECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
YUKON TERRITORY.
Consular Service, U. S. A,,
Dawson, Yukon Territory, July 12, 1901.
Geo. E. Roberts, Esq.,
Director of the Mint, Washington.
Dear Sir: Estimates made at Dawson as to the output of gold are always over-
estimated. At this consulate it is only an estimate I can arrive at, as many carry
out the gold dust with them without consular invoices, and the customs inspector
at the boundary can not find out.
When one (luotes the season’s output they refer to the amount of gold that will
be taken out in the twelve months. Our record of invoices show only $18,000,000
sent out last year, yet over $20,000,000 — I think $22,000,000, according to the assay
office reports — went from the Klondike.
This year’s or season s output of gold from the Klondike I think has been over-
estimated. Earlier reports said $25,000,000 to $80,000,000; $20,000,000 will be nearer
the mark.
Yours, truly, J. C. McCook, United States Consul,
ALASKA.
The report of the Alaska Treadwell Gold Mining Company shows that the stamp
mills crushed in the year ending with May last 457,802 tons of ore, from which tlie
average recovery was only $1.88 per ton. This is the lowest average yet recorded
in any one year, but the working cost was only $1.05 per ton, and from the profit
balance of 88 cents a ton satisfactory dividends were paid.
ALASKA.
[Cabell Whitobead, Pli. D.]
During the year 1000 no section of the United States held the atten-
tion of the mining public in tlie same measure as lias the district of
Alaska. Up to the time of the discovery of gold on the Klondike
only a few hardy and adventurous miners had dared to enter this
frozen and-inhospitable region, as it was believed to be at that time,
and their harrowing tales of long nights and bitter cold deterred the
less adventurous from following their example. Previous to the dis-
covery of the Klondike mining had been carried on in a small way at
Forty Mile and at Ram])art, and a number of other points along the
Yukon River, but the number of miners in Alaska probabl}^ did not
exceed 200 or 300. With the discoveries in the Klondike followed
the stampede of 1897 and again in 1808, and, as always in such cases,
more jieople sought enpiloyment than was offered, and the overflow
drifted back down the Yukon to the old mining camps at Circle City
and Rampart. Later on these wanderers crossed over into the Koyu-
kuk country and explored that, with oid}^ partial success, and went
on to the Seward Peninsula, where they met the Swedes. Here they
met rich stilkes at Nome, Golovin Ba.y, Port Clarence, and yet, not
content with this, during the fall of 1900 parties fitted out at Nome
for the purpose of exi)loring the Kuskokwim, that large river which
em})ties into the ocean south of the mouth of the Yukon, at Bristol
Bay. This stream has been exiilored almost from its source to the
ocean, and while there liave been frequent rumors of rich strikes, so
far as known nothing of value has been found except on the head-
waters of the South Fork, which jienetrates almost into the Copper
River country. Strikes were reported there last fall and have been
verified t his spring, but the extent and value of these discoveries can
not be known for another season.
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
59
On the Kuskokwini, in reviewing the mining sitnation, we naturally
pass over to the Copper River country, where we find little gold, hut
copper in enormous quantities. This stream flows south, its head-
waters being not far distant from the Yukon, and also in like prox-
imity to the Tanana, that stream of great promise and small yield.
In this section of Alaska it is copper we look for rather than gold.
Unfortunately, these deposits, or the most i^romising of them, are
located about 150 miles inland, and the fact that the Copper River
is not a navigable stream, it being filled with rapids in its lower
windings, makes this immense Avealth unavailable Avithout railroad
facilities. It is therefore unnecessary to speculate upon its value at
present or its future production. W hen a railroad is built from V ades
to Eagle City (Avhicli is necessary both as a means of communication
between the seacoast and the interior of Alaska as Avell as the develo^A-
ment of these properties) the investing public Avill seize uxaou this
immense storehouse of Avealth with avidity. The onlj?- mine in this
section of Alaska which has x>roduced any copper is a mine located on
an island in Prince William Sound. This mine during the j)astyear
has been a shipper of rich copper ore, and X)romises in the near future
to develop into a large j)roducer.
From Prince William Sound, in an easterly direction, Ave come to
Juneau, which is the center of the gold-mining interests in south-
eastern Alaska. Not far distant, on Douglas Island, is the Alaska-
Treadwell, one of the largest loAV-grade free-milling gold mines in the
world, Avhile on the mainland are a number of exceedingly jAromising
lAroperties, all developed Avithin the past f eAv years. That this country
should attract the attention of capital is Avithout doubt, and that in
the near future. Farther south we reach Prince of Wales Island and
Ketchikan. On Prince of W ales Island are located some of the most
promising copper mines in the entire country, and with the cheap
Avater freights which they are able to obtain it is more than x^robable
that in the near future these mines Avill become large producers, Avith
the necessary smelting Avorks located either there or at some point
along Puget Sound. Gold mines at Ketchikan have not been large
producers. The ore is very rich, but there is some question as to the
amount, and further development Avork aatII be necessary before an
idea can be formed of their worth.
The production from all the points named appears in the returns
from smelters, as the bullion from the TreadAvell mine and its neigh-
bors is shipped to the smelter in San Francisco, while the concentrates
are shipped to the Tacoma smelter, and Avill appear in their rejDorts.
Last year by far the greatest number of miners Averc attracted to
the SeAvard Peninsula by the rich strikes at Nome, and I shall endeavor
to give in some detail the result of my observations there during the
summer of 1900.
SEWARD PENINSULA.
The discovery of gold in 1898 in SeAvard Peninsula, followed bj^ the
AAmnderful tales of the returning miners in the fall of 1899, attracted
to this district a mighty horde in the spring of 1900, Avhich in itself,
to the careful observer, foreshadowed disappointment and failure as
plainly as did the hundreds of thousands of dollars iiiA^ested in
machinery which was rushed aboard the ships at Seattle and taken to
Nome for the purpose of mining ground in no way adapted to its use.
The first steamer that reached Nome AAms the Alexander^ a small ves-
sel of light draft, which arrived tliere on the 23d of May. A feAV days
GO
PRECIOUS METALS IM THE UNITED STATES.
later a number of wlialers and one small passenger vessel ancliored in
front of the town. Then followed in quick succession the large pas-
senger boats until by the 1st of July the total number of vessels off
Nome numbered 50. Each of tliese boats was loaded to its full
caj)acity and in many cases far beyond. Of the total number of j)eo-
ple to diseml)ark, between twenty-five and tliirty thousand, there were
probabl}^ one or two thousand who were familiar with mining in the
ordinary sense and a very much smaller number were practical min-
ers. The impression x^revailed among these passengei’s tliat it was
only necessary to go upon the beach and Avork for a few days and
return to their homes rich. Tliis dream AAms dissipated soon after
their arrival, for at the time of onr arrival, June 17, the beach had
practically been AA^orked out, and it AAvas imiAOSsible for a skillful
miner to make more than Avages. When this Avas recognized the first
boats returning to Seattle took back from one-third to one-half of the
original number of passengers tliat Avere brought up. This Avas A^ery
fortunate for the community, as at tliat time Nom&liad only sufficient
liouses to shelter about 3,500 jieople. The majority of the jAeoiile who
landed, landed Avithont blankets, tents, or food. It seemed iieA^er to
have occurred to the average fortune hunter that his siqiplies, stored
aAva}^ in the hold of the ship, Avould be a Aveek or ten dajts reaching
him after he had landed, and Avhile many cases of xmeumonia natu-
rally resulted, only the fine Aveather prevented the death of thousands.
It is hard to picture the conditions existing at Nome during the last
Aveeks of June. If 3^011 can imagine 25,000 people turned loose on tAvo
miles of beach Avith goods piled up as high as houses in maiqy places,
all semblance of streets lost in goods and tents, thousands struggling
to gain possession of their belongings, combined Avith the vain efforts
of the steamship people to protect their goods and get receipts foi-
Avhat Avas delivered, you have a faint idea of the conditions at Nome
in June and July, 1900. Provisions of all kinds were high at this
time and sleei)ing quarters in a tent Avere scarce at from |1 to
12 per night. Teams found ready takers at $10 an hour, AAdiich
included blockades. The ships arriving Avere well suiAplied Avith lum-
ber and in a few Aveeks, Avorking day and night, houses enough were
built to take care of all who remained. The fact that there AAms
l)i*actically no night — it being possible to read at anj^ time of night
through Juno and July — facilitated work of all kinds.
After the exhaustion of the beach the miners in the community imme-
diately start(id for the creeks, and as most of these had been staked
the i)revious 3^ear, many of them began Avorking for AAmges and settled
doAvn to the ordinary existence of laborers. The majoritj’^ of those
unacquainted Avdth mining remained around the toAvn until Avell along
in the season, when some of them returned on money supplied by
friends, while large numbers Avere takeji out on C4oA^ernment trans-
ports as indigents.
With this brief view of the opening of the season of 1900, I Avill
endeavor to describe Avithout technicalities the general coiiditions and
methods emx)loyed in securing the gold in this frozen country. The
Seward Peninsula juts out toward Asia, and has as its extreme Avest-
ern limit Cape Prince of Wales. It is about 325 miles long bj^ 100
broad, and may be divided into six mining districts, the Arctic, the
Cape York, the Port Clarence, Nome, the Kougarok, and the Council
City. Gold was first discovered along the rivers in the Council City
district, not far from the present Council City. The second discovery
Avas made on Anvil Creek, in the Ca^ie Nome mining district about
I’KECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
(U
one year later, and still later discoveries were made along the Koiigarok
River.
The discoveries at Port Clarence were made last July and August,
while the reports from tlie Arctic district came in late last fall, and
oidy began to attract attention this spring, when the truth in regard
to these discoveries hegan to leak out.
As the conditions xirevailing are almost identical in each district,
we will take the Nome district as tyxiical of the whole gold field.
What are known as “ beach claims ” are simply the i)oints at which
rivers or small streams empty at iiresent or have emptied at some
time into the ocean, bringing down the fine gold from tlie placers
above, which has in turn been thrown back by the wave action, and
the lighter material carried off. The gold, black sand, and garnets,
or ‘ ‘ ruby ” as it is called by the miner, concentrates into layers. These
layers (“pay streaks”) are from one to three in number, and vary in
thickness from one-quarter to two inches. In places they are very
rich, as was the beach at Nome, above the present mouth of Snake
River, and at a point formerly the month of Snake River. Again, at
Topkok we have the same condition. Here Daniels Creek, a small
stream, empties into Bering Sea, bringing down gold from above,
and the waves in turn have concentrated it to such an extent that
many miners in the early spring months of last year took out from
110,000 to 115,000 with a single rocker. These diggings soon became
exhausted along the beach, and only those who were fortunate enough
to have claims on the creeks have anything to work the coming sea-
son. It is my belief that these beach diggings will be discovered all
along Bering Sea, but their extent and richness are always uncertain,
and it is doubtful if such in’ofitable claims as those at Topkok and
Nome will be discovered between Port Clarence and Golofniii Bay, as
this beach has all been very thoroughly prospected.
The tundra claims, wliich attracted much attention and sold for
high prices in New York a year ago, have, in ninety-nine cases out of
a linndred, j>roved to bo worthless, as they are only of value when
they cover the bed of an old stream. These claims might j)roj)erly be
called beach claims, as this term is applied generally to any claim
upon which there is no water or which are above the present water
level of the adjacent streams. The pay streaks on the creek claims
are shallow, seldom exceeding more than three or four feet in dei)th,
with a bed rock of clay or decomposed schist, and there is every indi-
cation tliat these placers resulted from a secondary movement of gold
which was formerly laid down in the beds of prehistoric rivers, whose
general course was from east to west and not north to south, as is the
general trend of the rivers on the peninsula.
A striking illustration* of this iioint is the fact that Kikola Gulch,
which is a dry gulch and crosses Anvil Creek at No. 11, above Dis-
covery, has been proven beyond a doubt, I think, to be an old chan-
nel, and that above this point Anvil Creek, which is by far the richest
creek in the entire district, contains no gold, while below this point
each claim is rich down to No. 3, below Discovery. This channel has
been traced by sinking pits almost to Dexter Creek, and although there
may be some doubt as to its being a continuous channel there can be
no doubt that the gold in the present creeks was derived from this
source. Beyond Dexter Creek there are evidences that it continues
and supplied the gold in Bourbon Creek, Dry Creek, Extra Dry and
Otter Creek, as well as gold in the rich Newton Gulch. At present
this theory is not susceptible of positive xjroof, though it is my belief
62
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
that the work of the past winter in addition to what will be done this
summer will fully demonstrate its correctness. The natural result of
or belief in the existence of these old channels was to stimulate enor-
mous exiilorations on the benches, and even at the time of my leaving
Nome, last fall, many thawing machines and other devices for sink-
ing i^rospect holes in the tundra were being gotten into position, and
the coming season will open up many rich claims. Next fall the sys-
tem of drift mining or winter diggings, wliich has been in vogue at
Dawson for several years, will be fairly launched. The future of
Nome deiiends largely upon such discoveries, as the present creeks
will be exhausted in a comparatively short time.
METHODS OF MINING.
The mining on the beach was the simplest oiieration possible, a
rocker being all that is required in addition to a shovel and a pick
and a good strong back. The dirt was shoveled up and thrown onto
a coarse screen, which removed the larger stones and trash, the latter
derived from the driftwood, etc., from the sea. The fine dirt passes
over a series of riffles, which are small obstructions, and is finally
washed oh;, leaving the heavy gold. In some cases the tailings passed
over a small piece of carpet or burlai) ; in other cases an amalgamated
silver plate was used, but in each case the object is the same, viz,
to catch the fine gold. The lieavj^ particles of gold are caught in the
riffles, while the fine either amalgamates or is retained by the car-
pet, while the lighter material or tailings is washed away. In the final
cleaning up of this gold a large amount of black sand and garnets is
obtained, and it was a prevalent belief among the miners, and even
among people who should have been able to demonstrate the fallacy
of it, that this black sand was an ore of gold, and contained the
metal in paying quantities, and schemes for saving this sand and
shipping it out to the smelters were innumerable. I have investi-
gated this matter very closely, and can state positively that when the
black sand- and garnets are carefully separated from the free gold
these materials contain not one trace of the precious metal. They
are simply the associates of the gold by virtue of their high specific
gravity. The same process which concentrated the gold also collected
these minerals. I may mention, however, that there is found in cer-
tain creeks in tliis district, especially Snow Gulch and Uj^per Anvil
Creek, a considerable amount of the mineral scheelite or tungstate of
calcium, and that this mineral is gold bearing, assaying from $50 to
$250 j)er ton. It does not, however, occur on the beach, and only in a
few of the creeks.
In opening a creek claim the miner usually goes to the lower end of
his claim and puts in what is called a bed-rock drain; that is, a ditch
dug on the bed rock to carry off all water from the bed of the creek
after the upper creek has been drained and a ditch dug at the side of
the claim, into which he turns tlie water from its natural channel,
leaving the bed exposed, lie then runs what is called a “cross cut” —
that is, a ditch at right angles to the course of the creek — and by care-
fully iirospecting and panning the gravel from this ditch he manages
to locate his pay streak or the channel which tlie stream occupied at
the time the gold was being laid down, and I might remark that this
is not always the present channel of the creek. When he has once
located the pay streak he begins mining operations in earnest.
As the whole country is overgrown witli tundra and is in reality a
PKEOIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATP]S.
63
peat bog, it is iiecessaiy to strip this off down to the gravel, wliicli is
usually frozen at the beginning of the season, l)iit soon thaws under
the infliieiice of twenty hours of sunshine per day. ''riiis tundra is
usually from (3 to 18 inches deep, but sometimes even 3 feet. Wlien
this is removed and the gravel exposed he erects liis sluice boxes,
which are usually only square troughs, made of inch and a half lum-
ber, in the bottom of which are placed his rillles or obstructions, and
behind which the gold, being the heavier material, collects. Tliese
sluice boxes are made in 12-foot sections, and a complete sluice is
usually from 25 to 50 feet long, depending upon the amount of lumber
at the disposal of the miner and also upon the fineness of the gold.
The water is now turned into this trough and the fall adjusted accord-
ing to the material to be handled and the condition of the gold, the
coarser the gold the greater the fall. Into this stream of water the
miner shovels his pay gravel. The water carries off the larger rocks
and also the lighter material. The black sand and gold accumulate
behind the riffles, while the lighter material is dumped out at the end
of his sluice box and is knov;n as “tailings.” These are shoveled
away from time to time as they accumulate. This operation goes on
until the miner judges that his riffles are filled to a point where there is
danger of gold being taken over with the tailings, when he turns a por-
tion of the water off and removes all the materials left in the box by
careful stirring. By carefully panning the remaining material he frees
it from the heavy sands which are associated with it. Usually it is
necessary to use a magnet or other device for thoroughly cleaning it.
Every miner has a different method and is a firm believer in his own.
The gold when dried usually contains about 10 per cent of foreign
matter and is known as “dust.” This is placed in gold bags, which
are made of deerskin or sheepskin, and brought to market. It is
rather a curious thing that in melting gold containing scheelite,
referred to above, the carbon of the crucibles reduces a small amount
of tungsten, which unites with the gold, forming an alloy which segre-
gates badly and is difficult to assaj^ The tungsten, however, is easily
removed by the addition while molten of a small amount of alkali,
such as sodium hydrate and niter.
MINERALS OF THIS PENINSULA.
The rocks of this peninsula are mica schist, lime and granite, with
more or less quartz. The minerals I have been able to identify here
are pyrite, arsenopyrite in large quantitjq especially at Topkok.
Stibnite, native mercury, cinnabar, bismuth, as well as the oxides of
iron. Arsenopyrite is more or less gold bearing, but I have not found
gold in paying quantities. In a number of creeks throughout the
district, and especially in Dewey Creek, native mercury is found com-
l)ined with gold, forming a native gold amalgam. This fact has given
rise to reported discoveries of platinum in a number of creeks, but
witli a single exception it has always proved to be mercury.
On Mountain Creek, which is a tributary of Oregon Creek, in the
Cape Nome mining district, I have found native bismuth in consid-
erable quantities. It occurs as rounded nodules and accumulates in
the sluice boxes along with the gold. It frequently carries as much
as 5 per cent of gold. As a result of its presence the gold from this
locality is always brittle. Iron ores are quite common, generally
slightly magnetic. Professor Brooks showed me a number of fine
specimens of cassiterite, dioxide of tin, obtained by him in the Cape
York mining district. •
64
PEECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
The outlook for quartz in the iminediate vicinity of Nome at pres-
ent is not ^ood. It is iiossihle, however, that when the mountains
which lie back of Nome have been prospected thoroughly quartz
mines may be found, but at x)resent there is nothing which warrants
the outlay of caiiital anywhere in that district.
COUNCIL CITY DISTRICT.
The Council City district is the oldest district in the peninsula.
The first discoveries in this district were made by the Swedish mis-
sionaries, probably on Ophir Creek.
When gold was discovered on Anvil Creek the fabulous stories of
its richness caused a stam^iede from the Council City district and left
it almost entirely in the hands of a few practical miners who had
faith in its future. During the past season the miners who came
into the Nome district, finding it all taken up, crossed over into the
Council City district and made many valuable locations, whicli were
profitably worked last season and will be large producers the coming
season. It is my opinion that the best j)lacer mines on the Seward
Peninsula are to be found in this district and I liave great liopes of
the future. Below I give an estimate of its production for last year.
The i)i*incipal rivers of the district are the Fish, Neukluk, and Fox
rivers.
Up to tlie present time no valuable strikes have been made on Fisli
River. The most prominent i)roducers in the district are Ophir
Creek, including Crooked Creek and Sweetcake, which is a tributary
of Ophir, and Ophir, in turn, a tributary of Neukluk River. Ruby
Creek, a tributary of Kass-de-pogre, has also i)roduced well. Top-
kok, with Daniels and Ryans crocks, are also located in this district,
and were large producers.
The Bonanza district, wliich is a i)ortionof the original Cape Nome
district, has one or two promising rivers. Solomon River and Shovel
Creek were regarded at the beginning of last season as most xu’omis-
ing territory, but development in that locality was rather disapx)oint-
ing, so it is probable that there are but few good claims in this district.
The x)roduction last year was very small comi^ared with the amount
of work done there.
In the Nome district Anvil Creek has been tlie greatest xiroducerby
far, x)roducing last year from 13 claims $1,750,000. Other rich claims
in this district are Snow Gulch and Glaciei* Creek. One claim on the
former x)rodiiced $500,000; the two creeks together x)Toduced about
$750,000. Dexter Creek, whicli empties into the Nome lUver and is
over the watershed from Snake River and Anvil Creek, xiToduced
about $300,000. Dexter is almost a dry creek and has to be worked
with rockers; on some of the claims it was necessary to liaul water
for rocking, yet the ground is exceedingly rich and has x>*Tid very
liandsomely. Extra liryCheek has two rich claims. Dry Creek, just
aci’oss tlie divide from Nome River, is xirobably on tlie whole the
most xii'omisiiig ('.reek in the disti-ict. The claims were not oxiened
until last season and only a few of them then. The amount of gold
Xirodiiced while not great (about $25,000) came from a number of
claims and was chiefly obtained while doing develoximent work. The
coming season, I lielieve, will demonstrate this creek to be very rich.
Newton Gulch, which is a tributary of Dry Creek and undoubtedly
derives its gold from the same source, has a number of very valuable
claims; one fraction of a claim exceeding in richness anything known
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
()5
in I !k' ilistrict. From n siii^io pan of' dirt $140 was taken, and tcm
[)ans of dirt produced $440, while six cubic yards of ilii-t, tbe total
ainoiint worked last season, as it was struck late iiitlie fall, produced
$0,000, a record wliicli it would be difficult to beat anywhere in the
known world. Bourbon Creek, also a tributary of Dry th-eek, will
prove a steady produce]' during the coining season, though its pro-
duction was only about $5,000 last year. Saturday Creek, a tribu-
tary of Anvil Creek, flowing along the base of Anvil Mountain, is
very promising. Its production was about $10,000. The two claims
on Nikola Gulch referred to above, the Mattie and Daisy, are said
to liave produced $115,000 and $30,000, respectively. Oregon and
Hungry creeks, with Mountain Creek, have a number of very prom-
ising prospects, but so far no serious work has been done on these
creeks, all of these claims having been more or less involved in
litigation during the past season. I estimate the production of the
three at $50,000, During the month of July a number of beach min-
ers left Nome and Acandered up the coast to Sheas road house, a point
about 60 miles west of Nome. There they crossed the mountains and
came doAvn onto Gold Run, a tributary of Bluestone River. These men
located claims near the mouth of Alder Creek. Other jirospectors,
coming in by Avay of Port Clarence and Teller City, located along the
Bluestone Ri\"er, and still a third party, coming in higher up on Gold
Run, made still another location knoAvn as SAvansons DiscoA^ery, so
that along the Bluestone River and its tributary. Gold Run, there are
four distinct discovei'ies, each discoverer believing that he Avas on an
unknown stream. This has caused more or less confusion in the Port
Clarence district records, but is noAv being straightened out and the
claims renumbered. The AA^onderful richness of tAA^o of these claims.
No. 0, Gold Run, and No. 7, Gold Run, as Avell as several claims on
Alder Creek, has attracted tlie attention of the entire Peninsula.
With only 12 feet of sluice boxes, four men took out of No. 9 $20,000
in one month, and at no time Avas bedrock reached, as the Avork Av^as
done very late in the season. Nothing is therefore really known of
the true value of the property; yet this record alone Avould place it
in the lead among all the discoveries of last year. A large number of
practical miners looked the country over last fall, and many of them
Avill return the coming season, and it Avillbe surprising, indeed, if this
locality does not add a very large sum to the total output of the
Peninsula. Just about the close of the season discoA^eries Avere made
on Wheeler Creek and a number of other creeks to the east of Gold
Run. No positive information can be obtained as to their value, and
a year’s AAwk Avill be necessary to demonstrate it.
Across to the north of the salt lake Avhich empties into the ocean at
Port Clarence is the Agepuk River and its tributary, the American
River. This countrj^ Avas unknown territory at the beginning of last
season , but many prosx)ectors reported it as very promising. The Kou-
garok district includes the tAvo rivers Koosetream and Kougarok, also
Garfield and Quartz creeks, Avhich are said to be exceedingly promis-
ing, but nothing' can be known positively before next fall. I estimate
the iDi'oduction of this district last year at $50,000.
The Arctic mining district Avas formed late last season and is on
the tributaries of the American River, Avhich floAvs north and empties
into Good Hope Bay. This district should attract some attention from
tlie fact that it is the first discovery of gold on the north side of the
watershed. All of tlie streams up to the present time Avhich ha\'e
given any i)romise have had a general trend in a southerly direction.
12066—01 5
66
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
The United States revenue cutter Bear brought out a number of
stranded miners from the Kotzebue Sound country last fall. These
men had wintered on the headwaters of the Noatok River, and while
they had discovered little gold, still the gold which they brought out,
only a few ounces, was very coarse, and they rei^orted very i^romising
prospects. The most interesting fact was that they bimight out with
them about 50 pounds of native copper, which they claim to have
gotten from the bed of the streams in that locality. I examined this
copper for gold and silver, but it was practically free from both of
these metals.
The Cape York district, which forms the western extremity of the
Peninsula, was regarded as very hopeful territory at the beginning of
the past season, but nothing was developed there by the work of the
season, and, with the exception of one or two claims, it does not seem
to give very much promise. However, the discovery of tin in that
locality may open a new field of industry which in the end may i)rove
fully as profitable as gold mining.
The following is the estimate of the output of the Peninsula by
creeks. This is only an approximation and is not regarded as reliable,
simply being given as an indication of the distribution of the gold
throughout the Peninsula :
Anvil Creek $1 , 7-10 , 000
Glacier and Snow gulches . . 750, 000
Dexter Creek .... - 300,000
Nome Beach 350, 000
Extra Dry Creek 15, 000
Dry Creek . 25,000
Newton Gulch 10,000
Bourbon Creek 5, 000
Saturday Creek 10, 000
Nikola Gulch . . ... 145, 000
Oregon, Newton, and Hun-
gary creeks 50, 000
Topkok and Daniels Creek,
including the beach 800, 000
The total production of the Seward Peninsula, made up from reports
received by the refiners, mints, and assay olfices, was $5,100,000. By
a careful series of calculations, based upon tlie average fineness of gold
from the Klondike and Cape Nome gold compared with the total average
fineness of all the gold received at the mints and assay offices, I am of
the opinion that of this $5,100,000 about $350,000 originally came from
the Klondike. In the spring of 1900 a large number of niinei*s came
down the Yukon River, arriving at Nome about February. These
men all had gold in their possession, and many of them large sums.
In addition to this, the transi^oi’tation companies handled more or
less of the dust from the upper country, and this was finally shij)i)ed
out as Nome dust. Tlie average fineness of the gold of the Seward
Peninsula is about 890, while the average fineness of the Klondike
gold is only 780, or a difference of over 100 points. If Ave consider the
average fineness of all the gold received at ihe mints and assay olfices
with these facts, it is easy to estimate approximately the amount of
the lower grade of gold, and my figure of $350,000 Avas derived in this
Avay. I submit it for Avhat it is Avorth. There can be no question but
that a large amount of gold came in from the Klondike, and I think
that the Klondike production for 1900 should be credited Avitli that
amount and the same deducted from the production of the SeAvard
Peninsula.
Gold Run, in Port Clarence
district . . 75, 000
York 2,000
Kougarok district- . 50,000
Elkhorn Creek . . 30, 000
Crooked Creek 50, 000
Cold Bottom 1,000
Ophir and SweetcaUe creeks . 100, 000
Solomon River country 5, 000
Kotopogra 25, 000
Total... 4,588,000
Miscellaneous 162, 000
PKECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
67
In conclusion, for tlio bonclit of tlie investing iuiblic, as well as for
the nltiniate good of the jiiining interests of the entire peninsula, I
would state tliat while the pay dirt is very widely distributed, and in
many places exceedingly rich, yet the depth when compared with the
gravel banks of California and other fields in the United States, is
small. The average depth of pay dirt in the Cape Nome district is
about 2 feet. This gravel is thawed out by an exposure to the sun
and can bo very easily handled with the shovel. The country is flat
and there is practically no dump, which would be a serious drawback
to hydraulic mining, even if there were sufficient dirt to handle in
this way. I think it therefore wise for capitalists to consider care-
fully any very large outlay of capital in tliis district. It is essentially
a “poor man’s diggings,” where a man who understands his business
and is willing to work ought to be able with average luck to make
from five to ten thousand dollars a season, and has a chance of mak-
ing a great deal more. The country is to fi certain extent spotted, as
the miners call it — that is, the gold is not evenly distributed and
claims should be very carefully prospected before large prices are
paid for them. The outlook for the coming season is exceedingly
bright, and I believe that the next season will see the product doubled,
as did the past over the previous year. In a rich country, so little
prospected, it is very hard to predict the future. Any day may
announce the discovery of a new camp exceeding in richness anything
that we have known before, so that my predictions are entirely based
on what exists to-day.
STOPING WITH MACHINE DRILLS.
liY 1$. I.. THANE, SUMDUM, AEASKA.
[From Transactions of the American Institute of Mining Engineers, Vol. XXIX, pp. 770-776.]
Within the past few years the mining industry has taken a new impetus in all
its branches. New mines are being opened every day, while old ones, which have
been either working at a loss or have been compelled to shut down, are now gradu-
ally being reopened and placed on a paying basis.
This growth and new life is due, in a measure, to the discovery of new mining
districts, but the most important cause of the progress is the wonderful advance
that has been made in all branches of mine engineering.
By means of the important inventions and discoveries that have been made in
mechanics, chemistry, and electricity, we are now able to work ores which only a
short time ago would have been regarded as worthless. We find, for instance, the
electrician eliminating two of our greatest difficulties, those of distance and supe-
rior elevation, while the mechanic has brought to the highest degree of perfection
not only ore-crushing and hoisting machinery, but all such devices as pertain to
the mechanical handling of ores, and at the same time the metallurgist, with his
combined chemical and mechanical skill, has helped us to e.xtract the precious
metals from the most refractory of ores.
But when we turn to examine methods in actual use for mining or breaking ore
we are surprised at the small amount of progress that has been made in this direc-
tion. In the handling of the ore after it is broken almost everything has been
done to reduce the operation to its simplest and cheapest mechanical form, and
every form of engineering skill has been brought to bear upon the problem. But
the work of the engineer usually ends with the erection and installation of the
machinery that he has designed. His interest rarely reaches to the details of break-
ing ore; this is supposed to be the peculiar province of hand labor. This branch of
the business is usually under the immediate supervision of men risen directly from
the ranks, who have learned to do exactly what was done before them, and assum-
ing, without question, that this is the only method, have bent their energies toward
bringing that method to the highest degree of perfection.
There is no intention of denying the value of such work; for it is done well, ana
the energy, system, and skill with which it is carried on are all of the highest order.
68
PEECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
But this does not prevent one who has marked the revolution which mechanical
devices have wrought in other branches of mining from wishing to see the i)roper
appliances brought to bear upon the problem of breaking ore.
The use of power drills in sloping is one of the methods that have been i)ro-
posed to solve this problem. Although their use for this purpose is not new the
method has not, in my opinion, received the consideration that it merits. We
find the big machine in the shafts, tunnels, Jind drifts a decided success, and in
use almost everywhere; but when we look for the little one in the stopes and on the
vein we find instead the miner with his hammer, pounding away, just as his
fathers did before him. Perhaps I should make some exceptions here, and men-
tion what has already been done in this line, but it has been so little, especially
in this country, that it is hardly worth mentioning.
Attempts have been made from time to time by enterprising men to use machine
drills in stoping. Most of these, for one reason or another, have resulted in fail-
ures; and failure once made is sure to be heralded far and wide, only to be lived
down by the slow growth of success.
It was the failure, or rather the retreated failure and final success, of one of
these attempts, which I personally witnessed, that led me to become personally
interested in this subject; and as it bears directly upon the question before us I will
endeavor to give a brief outline of my experiences and their results.
While working underground in the Chief Mine, at Sumduni, Alaska, I had the
good fortune to be placed as helper, or “ chucknian,'’on one of the small machines,
known as a “Baby Ingersoll.” It was used for stoping and raising on the vein.
This work presented an excellent example of the problem before us, as the vein
varied from 1 to 3 feet in width (the most unfavorable for machine work), and
the place of working was one of great difficulty, as it lay along the shaft, making
any mistakes dangerous and costly. Thanks to my partner, who was a machine
man par excellence, no such mistakes were made.
This was the fourth attempt to use the little drill at the mine and the first
to register a success. My partner, who was a late arrival from the Coeur d’Alene,
had found the little drill thrown aside in disgrace and covered with rubbish. But
he knew what it could do and begged to be allowed to give it one more trial.
Of course it is out of the question to use the big machine, on account of its size
and weight, for stoping in such narrow veins, even though in its own sphere it is
already a success. The cause of failue in the use of the small drills had been due,
in this mine at least, to the fact that the men who had attempted to work them
were used to the big machines, where the strength of stroke and larger size of the
hole overcame many of the difficulties encountered by the smaller ones. The
latter naturally reciuire more care and skill, but this care and skill is not so great
but that any man of ordinary ability can master it.
The drill used by us weighed 170 pounds when mounted on a tripod. We found
the latter to be much better than a bar, as it allows greater freedom of motion,
something absolutely necessary in following a hole, and takes much less time in
moving from one place and setting up in another. With the machine which we
used the bolts are so arranged that a drill may be driven in any direction by a
simple manipulation of the legs of the machine, which is easily acquired by
practice.
The chief cause of trouble in machine drilling arises from the many “slips” and
layers of alternately hard and soft rock which are found running in every con-
ceivable direction in vein formations. A drill once started, for instance, will run
freely till it strikes one of these slips, which it will, naturally, have a tendency to
follow; or, again, if driven through soft seams it comes in contact with harder
material, it will immediately begin to slip along the new surface.
This result, if allowed to continue, will cause the drill to “ bind” against the
bend in the hole, and will not only prevent the drill from entering the hole, but
will hold it fast and prevent its withdrawal. This not only occasions much annoy-
ance and loss of tiine, but fretiuently causes the total loss of a hole.
With a big machine, where the jiower is sufficiently great, the drill is driven
' ahead and pulled out regardless of the slips and bends, and this difficulty is more
easily surmounted; but with the smaller ones constant v/atch must be kept, and the
instant the drill starts to slip or bind the machine must be readjusted to follow the
hole and the stroke shortened, as in starting. To do this it is seldom necessary to
stop, for a perfect understanding of the drill and between the men working it
allows the chuck tender to loosen the proper bolts while the machine is still in
motion, and as soon as its position is changed enough to allow it to run smoothly
it is fastened again, From personal experience I think it is not only unnecessary
but unwise to attempt to drill holes too deep. This practice is usually the cause
of much trouble and loss of time. From 3 to 0 feet is quite deep enough for such
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
()9
work, generally speaking. This is all the more the case as the time required to
move the machine from one place to another is very small indeed.
A tripod necessitates the use of a platform to work on, but as it is ^ ery easy to
buihl one out of lagging, this is a matter of small conse(iuence, especially as the
planks may be used over and over again, and a platform once built saves time in
the end, as it enables the workman to move about freely and rapidly and with
less danger of accident.
So far, the economical side of the question has not been mentioned, but simply
the practicability of the small machine. With regard to this new .side of the
(luestion, and a most vital one, it is almost impossible to collect data of any gen-
eral application because of the small amoiint of work that has been done with the
small drills up to within the last few years.
However, I am informed by Capt. Thomas Mein, recently superintendent of the
Robinson mine, in the South African gold fields, that in that great district the use
of small machines on naiTOW veins is an established fact and is carried on with
great succes.
In the State of California I find that within the last six months some three plants
of five small machines each have been put in, of which that of the North Star
mine, at Grass Valley, is perhaps the best known.
My own ex])erience in this line of work is about as follows:
With the baby drill ” two men. my partner and myself, were able to drill about
40 feet a day in hard quartz full of slips and seams. This work was done between
the hours of 9 a. m. and 4.00 p. m. The rest of the shift was sufficient for us to do
all our own timbering, to build our chutes and ladder ways, to shovel away our
broken rock, and to keep the place in ship-shape order.
Circumstances favored me with a good opportunity to compare the machine with
hand labor. During the holidays the compressor was shut down for a week or so,
jireventing the use of the machines, and for that period we worked in the same
stope, using the hammer to drive our holes. This permitted an exceptionally fair
and complete comparison. All the conditions were the same for both methods;
the rock was the same throughout; the size of the vein and the nature of the work-
ing places were the same, and as we were situated away from the other workmen
the quantity of rock broken daily by us could be and was accurately measured.
The results of the comparison were all in favor of the drill. We found that, as
an average of the week's work, we were able to break down by hand labor just
half the ground that we had broken before in the same time with the machine; or,
in short, that two men are able, under similar circumstances, to do twice as much
work with the machine as they can do by hand. There is also another incidental
advantage attending the use of the machine, namely, that of improved ventilation.
One of the greatest difficulties of the directing engineer is to keep the men prop-
erly supplied with fresh air, particularly in making up-raises, and this difficulty
is entirely eliminated when machine drills are used.
It must be evident, from these considerations, that the small machine drill, prop-
erly employed, is practical and economical, so far as labor is concerned.
There still remains to be considered the cost of drills, compressors, power, and
pipe-line, etc. It is unnecessary to go into these (luestions in detail, because each
case must be settled by itself, with a full knowledge of the situation, source of
power, size of plant, etc.
But with an abundance of water power and the practical elimination of the
effects of distance and position, made possible through electric transmission, the
running expense for power is very slight, and the first cost of the plant is within
the reach of any stable company, financially capable of either opening or running
a mine. While a certain increase of initial expense for power and plant is neces-
sitated, the reduction in the cost of labor is one-half greatei than would be
required to offset this outlay.
The reduction in the number of hands needed for breaking ore resulting from
tlie use of power drills is one of the chief causes of the prejudice against the
macliines entertained by many working miners. But this prejudice is entirely
unwarranted, for every cause that increases the output of the miner and decreases
the expense of mining only tends to open new mines and enables old ones to
increase their force, thus giving plenty of work to any supposed or possible surplus
of miners.
On my return to the mine I hope to secure further and fuller data on this sub-
ject, in order to convince others of what I firmly believe myself, for I think it is
only a (luestion of time before we will have the “little machine ' everywhere high
up in the stopes, pounding its way into prominence and success.
70
PKECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
POSTSCRIPT.
[By Prof. S. B. Christy, University of California.]
Through the kindness of Capt. Thomas Mein, I am able to add the following
extract from a private letter received by him from the well-known South African
engineer, Mr. L. T. Seymour. The letter is dated Johannesburg, March 15, 189:t,
and the extract reads as follows;
“ Stoping. — Hand-stoping in medium ground, up to 4 feet wide, costs 5 to 6 shil-
lings per ton with boys ( Kaffirs). We are, at the Heriot and Gold Deep, stoping
with machine drills at that price on 6-foot stopes. Each miner now runs 2|-inch
Ingersoll-Sergeants or 3}f-inch Little Giants. As a rule, a drill of this size costs
(without dynamite) from £115 to £125 sterling a month to run. for all expenses,
including depreciation and interest. The miners’ wages come to from £58 to £63
out of this, or almost exactly half. Therefore, two or three drills, distributing
the cohite wages over them, reduce this cost largely. I believe in three years’
time we shall do practically all our stoping with small machines on the little
stopes, and with large ones on everything over 4 feet. The 2|-inch Little Giant
works very well,
“At some mines we make the man in a boys’ stope run a small machine as well.
On this basis, on a 4-foot 6-inch stope, each small machine stopes 279 tons per
month, at a total cost, including dynamite, of 5s. 9d. per ton stoped, and with the
large machines as high as 960 tons per white man per month, when he runs tw<^
drills,”
These figures tend to corroborate the position taken by Mr. Thane. Machine
drills have been used in stoping at several mines in California for some time, nota-
bly at the North Star and the Utica. Their advantages over hand labor as to cost
will depend almost entirely on the cost of power. W here the latter is cheap, there
can be no question as to their advantage. The development of the water power
of the State, which is now going on so rapidly, will be surely followed in the near
future by the more extensive use of the machine drill in stoping.
ARIZONA.
By Charles C. Randolph,
Phoenix, Ariz.
Arizona in 1900 jirodnced gold to the value of $4,250,000 and 4,250,000
ounces of silver. Its output of copper exceeded in value $32,000,000.
Tliese figures, gathered from mine owners and operators and super-
vised by persons thoroughly familiar with the mining situation in the
TeiTitory, are conservative. Tiiey show a marked increase over the
returns for 1899 and substantiate the assertions of experts that Ari-
zona is destined ultimatel}^ to assume first place in tiie production of
copper and to occupy a commanding position among the gold and
silver producing States.
A remarkable feature of mining in Arizona is that the copper ores
almost invariably are associated with the precious metals. Most of
the copper mines in operation produce large amounts of gold and
silver which are not placed to the credit of the Territory in the annual
statistics, for the reason that the output is shipped away in the form
of matte or black copper, and the precious metals it contains can not
be separated outside of a refineiy. Arizona does not possess a refinery,
and it suffers severely as a result. It is the opinion of mining men,
who are jealous of the Territoiy’s reputation, that if Arizona had the
smelting facilities of Colorado it would take rank immediately as the
third largest producer of minerals in the United States. The disad-
vantages under which it labors doubtless will be overcome when the
mining world becomes aware of the possibilities which lie in the
mountains and desert regions of this sun-kissed land.
The year 1900 was marked by great activity in the old established
mines, and more than the usual amount of prospecting and develop-
ment work was done. The advantage possessed by Arizona in respect
of climate can not be overestimated. Except in the highest mountain
ranges, mining operations may be conducted every day in the year,
and the drawbacks resulting from snow and cold in the higher alti-
tudes would be a bagatelle to miners accustomed to the rigors of
Alaska and other northern mineralized sections. The comparative
mildness of the winters here preclude the necessity of heavy expendi-
tures for buildings and fuel for the protection of the employees. The
winter air is bracing, and in summer, owing to the lightness of the
atmosphere, men work in the open without fear of sunstroke.
Although vast strides have been made in mining in Arizona in the
last few years, the countless locations and strikes that are being
recorded show that the field is practically limitless. Gold is found in
all parts of the Territory. It occurs either as j)lacer deposits or in
veins in nearly every mountain range. Isolated hills in the desert
have been found to contain inexhaustible deposits. The famous
King of Arizona gold mine, which produces $40,000 a month, was dis-
covered by accident in a region popularly supposed to be barren of
71
72
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
everything except rocks and cactus. The general knowledge of the
wide distribution of gold in Arizona lends zest to the life of the pros-
pector, and his is a constantly growing class.
The banner gold-producing county in 1900 was Yavapai, of which
Prescott is the chief town. The famous Congress mine, which has
yielded more than $0,000,000 since it was first opened, maintained its
high rate of progress. The Congress group is in what is known as
the Martinez district, 70 miles north of Phoenix, tlie Territorial capital.
It is connected with the main line of the Santa Pe, Prescott and
Phoenix Railroad b}" a well-equipped branch road. The town of
Congress and the mines and reduction works are located at the mouth
of a short canyon, broad enough at the bottom to give ample room for
the necessary buildings for town and works. The outci*ops of the
veins are on the mountain sides, giving abundant fall for waste
dumxDS and the imox)er arrangement of mills. The Avater supxdy comes
from Martinez Creek, 1 mile aAATiy. It is raised 500 feet l)y a steam
pumj), to get over the ridge, and runs into the cainx) b}^ gravitj^
ddiree hundred and fifty men are emx^loyed in the mines and surface
Avorks. The mill, mine, and all comq)any buildings are lighted by
electricity. By a system of SAvitch-backs the compan3^’s road delivers
freight directly at the mine. There is a well-estal)lished hos])ital,
and the canq) has direct telegraphic communication Avith the outside
Avorld.
Inasmuch as it has been charged that Arizona’s mines “do not go
down,” I shall go into details concerning this A\mnderful x)rox)ert3',
emxdoying for the puiq)ose the interesting statement j)rexiared l\y Mr.
W. F. Staunton, the general suxAerintendent of the Congress mine.
TAvent^’-three claims are OAAuied, and the greater x:>art of the AA^ork has
been done on onl,y three — the Congress, the Niagara, and the Whj"
Not — although all the others cany veins and Avill eAmntuallj’'
be explored.
The CO untiy around the Congress is all granite and granitic gneiss.
This rock is cut through b}" a series of ax:>xn’oximatel,y parallel dikes
of greenstone trap, ha\dng a general easterlj’’ and westerly- strike and
a dix3 of about 20° to the north. The Congress Amin is in one of these
veins, or perhax^s it ma}" be said that the dike is the Amin, for ore has
been found in the dike in all x)0ssible x)ositions fi'om one granite AA^all
to the other, but generally occux^jung a XK)sition near the foot AA^all and
sex^arated from it ly a lajmr of vein selvage. The dike has a tliickness
of about 15 feet, measured at right angles to the walls, but this is
uncertain, as Ave rarely" see the hanging Avail in the mine, the drifts
hugging the foot AA^all and their height not being sufficient to exx)Ose
the hanging.
Tliese greenstone dikes are crossed ly other more nearl}^ Amrt ical
dikes having a noi*theasterly and south AAmsterl.y trend. The cross
dikes are ax)X)arentl,y a kind of quartz X)erj)li3uy. Veiy little is knoAvn
of them, as the^'^ do not ax)X)car to be ore bearing and luiAm l)een but
little exposed in the underground AAmrks. They do not seem to mark
lines of faulting, as the greenstone dikes are not throAvn at the inter-
section. They are ai)X)arently of more recent origin than the gimen-
stone dik(‘S, as the,y ax)X)car to cut the latter and occiixy the sx)ace of
intersection.
In addition to the Congress Amin, upon Avhich the greater x^Jii't of
the work has l)een done, thei*e are se\mral others of equal x^i’omise on
the surface and holding out extremel}’^ Avell to the extent of the develoxm
ment work that lias been done uxioii them. One of them crosses the
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
78
Congress at an acnte angle, and another, known as the Niagara, is
parallel to and in the foot wall of the Congress, ddie veins are
entirely inclosed in the granite witlioiit tlie acconipaiiying dike, wliich
is such a marked featni*e of the Congress vein. Tlie Niagara vein is
being systematicall}^ opened by shafts 3,000 feet a])art , both of wlii(ili
show up a large continuous vein of excellent gi*ade oi'odown to a level
of 500 feet, with eA^eiy promise of continuanc(‘ t,o great depth. Idiere
are manj' smaller veins carrying good oi*e which have not been
explored to any extent.
The Congress ore is white cpiartz, carrying very xnire iron j)3U’ite
generally disseminated through it in small xi^udicles, but. at times in
cpiite massive form. There is little if any gold in the (piartz showing
no pyrite, and hardlj" any free gold exists in the ore. The ijyi*ite car-
ries on an average about 8 ounces of gold to the ton. Other sulf)hides
so commonly accoinjianying iron x)3u*ites are notably absent, a little
galena of very rare occurrence being t.lie only one identitied, and
chemical analysis of the concentrates from the ore showing hardly
a trace of co^iper, arsenic, antimony, or, indeed, of anything but
iron, sulxihur, and silica. The Niagara ore, on the contrary, shows con-
siderable galena and some copi)er minerals besides the iron i>yrite.
This difference apxiears to be characteristic of the ores of this neigh-
borhood when the veins are entirely in the granite, as distinguished
from those which are accomxuinied by the greenstone dikes.
There are three x^rincipal shafts on the Congress, all sunk on the
vein and conformably to its dij). No. 1 and No. 2 shafts are GOO feet
a[)art and No. 2 and No. 3 1,000 feet apart. Nos. 2 and 3 are con-
nected on the 1,700-foot level, and each liave hoisting machineiy cax)a-
ble of sinking to 3,000 feet, which depth No. 3 lias already reached.
Sinking is being done b}^ means of air drills, and the dike and ore are
found to be continuous and strong, the ore, in fact, being lai’ger and
better than average grade.
The system of mining followed is to block out the ground ly main
levels, driven dead, aiiproxiinately 300 feet apart. Stojies are then
started at the shaft and rise above these levels. As the tojis of the
stopes reach the height decided upon as the proper distance for
another level — generally 75 feet — the level is carried in, x)i‘actically
being already formed b}^ the stox^e, with the excexition of a little cut-
ting of the roof to make room for the timbers. The ground stoxied
out is filled with waste as soon as xiossible, as the roof soon becomes
heavy and the temporary supports xnit in would crush without tilling.
By this method of stoping a large xiart of the waste broken is kex)t
underground, serving the x^Pi'POse of supxiorting the roof, saving
hoisting, and causing the air to circulate upward along the working
breasts of the stopes.
The I’eduction works consist of a 40-stamx^ mill and a cjmnide x^lant
for treating the tailings. The milling xirocess is as follows: The ore
from the mine is dumped on grizzlies, the oversize x^assing through
two 9 by 15-inch Blake crushers, and thence with the tines to storage
bins of about 1,000 tons capacity. Tullock feeders draw their suxd^ly
from tliese bins for the forty stamxis. The stamps weigh 850 pounds
each, and drop 6 inches 90 times xier minute. Steel wire screens are
used. The x^ulp is fed direct to 20 Frue vanners equally divided
between them. The resulting concentrates are dumxied upon a sand
filter to drain, and while still moist are loaded in bulk, without sack-
ing, into cars for shix^ment to the smelter. The tailings x^ass to a
sand x)umx), which elevates them to settling tanks and where the sur-
74
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
plus water is removed aud pumped back to be used over again, while
the tailings are run in cars to the dump. An entirely new 40-stamp
mill with concentrators will be erected early in 1901.
Fine crushing and concentration at one operation on such material
as the Congress ore is not a clean operation, but is i^robablj’ the best
process available considering the small supply of water. Tlie concen-
tration percentage is in the neighborhood of 80 on $16 original ore,
and the greater part of the loss is in the very fine slimes. It is quite
probable that closer work could be done bj^ hjTlraulic classifying pre-
vious to concentration, but the changes in the mill necessarj^ to intro-
duce this in a proj)er way would be quite extensive, as the necessary
fall between the batteries and vanners is at present lacking.
The rate of crushing is 100 tons per da}q or two and one-half tons
per stamp.
The tailings from the concentrating mills are reworked bj' the
C3mnide process at the rate of 110 tons per daj^ The j^lant comprises
a large Brown mechanical roaster, 7 leaching tanks, each 26 feet in
diameter bj^ 4^ feet deep; 4 solution tanks, 15 feet in diameter by 10
feet deep, together with the necessary bins, boilers, engines, pumps,
piping, zinc, boxes, etc., the whole being inclosed in substantial cor-
rugated-iron buildings, covering an area of over 12,000 square feet.
The tailings as they come from the concentrating mill are bedded and
partiall}^^ dried by plowing and exposure to the sun.
Thej^ are then dumped into a Stedman pulverizer, going thence bj^
elevator to a storage bin, from which tliej" run b}-" gravit}^ to a self-
feeder of the roasting furnace. The furnace is fired with California
crude oil, using 3 burners. Emerging from the roasting furnace
thoroughl}^ desulphurized and oxidized, the tailings are automatical!}'
carried along on a slieet-iron cooling liearth, passing under a spray of
water to la}" the dust and assist in cooling; and tlience go the leach-
ing tanks, where the gold is dissolved and collected on zinc shavings
in the usual way. This j)lant is now being eidarged by the addition
of 3 200-ton tanks to handle the increased output when the new mill
is in operation.
As already stated the output of this great mine has ]iassed the
$6,000,000 mai*k. Notwithstanding the fact that the reduction works
have been continuously oi)er{ited at full capacity, the development of
the miiie has been kept so far in advance of stopiugthat there is now
more ore in sight than at any time since the company began opera-
tions. There are many miles of underground passages, and the
deepening process goes steadily forward.
Yavapai County l)oasts of another magnificent gold-bearing prop-
erty, the Crowned King mine. It had been producing steadily for
ten years until a short time ago, when it was closed through litigation.
It is opened by several tunnels on tlie vein, one beneath the other,
connected l)y winzes and sliafts. The ore body is regular and con-
tinuous and of i‘eniarkably even value, although occasionally veiy
rich strikes are made. In 1899 considerable ore was encountered that
assayed as liigh as $50,000 a ton. Few mines are so well situated for
economical working. The ores are reduced by a stamp mill and con-
centrators. A large i)ercentage of the values is saved on the plates,
the concentrates being sliipped away to smelters. During the opera-
tion of the mine tlie owners declined to give any information concern-
ing the output, but it is ceidain tliat several million dollai’S have been
produced.
The McCabe mine, situated near Prescott, has been opened to a
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
75
depth of 700 feet and is producing gold regularly. Its owners do not
respond to impiiries concerning the value of the output. Near it is
the Little Jessie, a great gold producer in its day, but closed down in
1900 by reason of litigation.
Below the site of the Walnut Grove dam on the IIassa.yampa River,
in Yavapai County, is the Crown Point mine, which is down about
500 feet in high-grade ore. While this report is being written, the
report comes that an immense ledge of good milling ore has been
opened.
There are hundreds of small but promising gold properties in
Yavapai, which are shipping ore to the smelters in Colorado and
Texas, Thej- are destined to play an important part in the growth
of Arizona as a producer of the precious metals. Around the
head of Lynx Creek, for instance, a large tonnage is being treated and
shipped. This region is highly mineralized, and by another yea.’
the list of paying mines there will be large.
What is known as the Weaver district is another rich section,
abounding in small properties. All of the veins run high in gold from
the grass roots. The gold-placer deposits of this district are widely
known by reason of the abundance of gold they have produced.
Although they have been worked man}^ years they still yield several
thousand dollars’ worth of the yellow metal every month to the few
men who carry on operations there. These deposits lie at the foot of
“Rich Hill,” near Stanton. In the early days a party of prospectors
found a wonderfully rich deposit of gold on the top of this hill. The
gold is coarse and heavy. Nuggets, ranging from $10 to $450 apiece,
have been taken out. Three lumps of gold secured by one miner
netted him over $1,000.
The Octave mine in Weaver district, was, in 1900, equipped with a
40-stamp mill. This is a promising property. It is operated by men
who have made money in the Pennsylvania oil fields, and they intend
to develop it thoroughly.
The Commonwealth mine at Pearce, Cochise County, is one of the
noted gold mines of the Territory, Its product in 1900 was estimated
at about $40,000 a month, and there was also a heavy output of silver.
The mine was shut down for sometime on account of a disastrous
fire. A new mill, with a capacity of 100 tons a day has been installed,
together with other improved machinery, and the mine has fairly
started on a new career, which its owners believe will be marked by
exceedingly rich returns.
The King of Arizona mine is located in Yuma County. It is in the
desert, 40 miles distant from the Southern Pacific Railroad. It was
discovered a few years ago by a prospector named Eichelberger, who
had no idea that the specimens he exhibited in Yuma and elsewhere
would bring a fortune to himself and lead to the establishment of one
of the richest gold mines in the Southwest. The chief difficulty that
confronted the capitalists who undertook the development of the
property, was the entire absence of water in the neighborhood of the
“ strikes.”
For three years their efforts were devoted to finding water, the
expense of the undertaking being enough to deter the average group
of men. Finally it was found in abundance 1,000 feet below the sur-
face at a point 4 miles distant from the chief location. Fifteen miles
away another heavy body of water was struck. Pipe lines were laid
in 1900, pumps erected, and a roller and cyanide outfit was installed.
The capacity of the plant is 125 tons a day, and the average return is
76
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES,
$10 a ton. The eliief owner says that the net earnings in 1001 will
exceed $20,000 a iiionth.
The great Fortuna mine, which has produced millions in gold, also
lies in Yuma County. It is in the Gila range, and its outcrop la}' for
many years near a beaten road without anybody taking the trouble to
investigate it. The following facts relating to the yield of the Fortuna
make interesting reading. The rocks at the outcroi) are mostly of
homogeneous gi-anite, of gray color and weathered out at the sni-faces,
which, howevei*, are much [)itted, as if b}^ decomi^osition of some soft
substance. Hut be}T)7id these low-lying hills there are big outci*ops
of i*ock which indicate stratified foi*mations. The bulk of the range
is composed of mica slates and hornblendic slates, with interpolations
of quartzite beds. The workings which have been carried on have
developed a condition of things which could not be foretold from an
inspection of the outcrop. The vein or lode appears to be a chimnejq
not a continuous ore body noi* a continuous vein with an ore body or
chute upon it. The vein is remarkable because of this limited out-
crop, its continuity in depth, its continued and satisfactory richness,
and the promise it gives of eni'ichment by further veins dipping into
it on the foot-wall sides.
The ore of the Fortuna paid from the very beginning of operations.
Up to 1000 the product averaged about 80 tons a day. ''Fhere is a
20-stamp >nill. Compressed air is employed to work the drills. The
average returns have been about $48,000 in gold a month. As mucli
as $00,000 worth of gold has been extracted in a single month.
At Mammotli, 80 miles north of Tucson, there are three companies
at work and the aggregate output of gold is $50,000 a month. The
St. TjOuIs Gold Recovery Conipanj^ and the Mammoth Cyanide Com-
pany are woi’king tailings from the Mammoth-Collins gold mine, and
this famous mine is producing enough tailings each year to keep both
companies in constant activity. At the Mammoth 40 stamps are
being add(‘d to the 40 which have been pounding out gold for many
years. The camp is one of the most substantial in the Territory. The
Mammoth mill handles 300 tons of ore a day. There are three cyanide
plants capable of handling 300 tons each. A stage line is opei’ated
between the camp and Tucson, and all the freighting is carried on
from Tucson.
In referring to the gold producers of Arizona, mention should be
made of the well-known Vulture mine, which has pi-oduced millions
for its different owners. The late II. A. W. Tabor, of Denver, OAvned
this property at one time and realized a fortune from it. It was iieA^er
handled in a scientific manner, the object of those working it being to
extract the values in the ([uickest possible Avay. In the earl}^^ days
the Avarlike Apaches made its operation a matter of great personal
danger to the OAAuiers and their emxdoyees. Far from civilization and
su[)f)ly points, the men Avere frequently i)aid with gold chopx)ed from
the ingots x)rodueed. No attemj)t Avas made to save tlie lesser A^ilues,
indeed there Avas no process available for such a coui'se. ddiree years
ago a Denver man cleaned uj) about $75,000 from a X)ortion of the
tailings. ''Fhe remaining tailings are very rich. The proiierty passed
under the control of (Chicago ])arties in 1808, and recently a New York
syndicate bought it, and is x)rexmring to Avork it ui)on its merits.
There is little doubt tliat in a year or two the Vulture Avill again
become knoAvn as a rich producer.
The Greaterville ])la(^ei*s in Pima County, not far from Tucson, have
yielded muc.h gold in the last fifteen yc^ars, it being estimated that
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
77
several millions have been taken out since tlieir discovmry. Idie
operations in 1900 were carried on by JMexicans ])rincipally, who are
satisfied with small ’•etums from the primitive methods employed. A
dry washer has l)een invented by a sonthej’Ji Arizona man, who is
satisfied that it will recover a large portion of the gold in these placers.
While the aggregate of big gold mines in Arizona is small, the
number of modest properties is increasing at a tremendous rate. I
have received advices from many small operators showing individual
returns ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 tor 1900. There are dozens of
small stiainp mills pounding away on gold in the hills of the territory,
and capital is becoming largely interested. In Mohave County par-
ticularly there are many gold-mining enterprises of which the public
hears but little. The gold placers of the Chenieheuris mountains are
worked by the dry washing methods. Banks of auriferous gravel are
found along the Colorado River north of the White Hills. The
AVhite Hill mines, in Mohave County, are coming to the front, and
there are extensive mining operations at Chloride and Todd’s Basin
and Cubab, in the same county. Pima and Pinal counties have
several districts which promise Avell. In a few years, if the iiresent
rate of progress is maintained, Arizona’s statistics of gold production
will occupy a large place in the public eye.
SILVER.
In s[)ite of the fact that but few mines in Arizona are being worked
distinctly for silver, the output for 1900 showed a large increase,
according to the returns of mine owners, the silver coming as a b}^-
product with copper, and also from mines in-oduciiig gold. One
superintendent of a gold mine writes me that his mine turned out
about 25,000 ounces of silver in 1900. One of the big cojiper mines
produced over 500,000 ounces of silver. The Chloride district, in
Mohave County, has come into prominence in the last two years as a
great producer of the white metal. There are many silver mines
there that show a constantly increasing product. In the Castle Dome
district, in Yuma County, the veins carry about 30 ounces of silver
to the ton. In the Globe district there is a distinct silver-bearing
region, which in the old days proved to be very remunerative. The
silver is found in limestone pockets. One such pocket discovered in
the Old Mexican mine netted the owners $168,000. A silver nugget
found near Globe some time ago weighed 30 pounds and was 0.900
fine.
Active work Avas carried on in 1900 on the San Xavier silver inines
in Pima County. Vast bodies of loAv-grade ore have been opened. A
concentrating plant is to be erected. In the Washington district, in
the same county, is the World’s Fair silver jiiine, oAvned by Frank
PoAvers. It is one of the richest silver mines in the Avoiid. Powers
has been offered a half million dollars for the j)roperty, but he prefers
to retain it and Avork it in a desultory Avay, taking out enough each
year to maintain his family in comfortable circumstances. He closes
the mine against all mining experts and holds it as his bank.
The great mines at Tombstone, which have produced more than
$25,000,000 in sih^er and gold and lead, 5,000,000 ounces of silver liaA^-
ing been mined in 1881, liaA^e been idle for years, although as rich as
ever. The Ioav price of silver, couxiled Avith the drawback caused by
the great influx of water in the lower levels, combined to put an end
78
PEEOIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
to operations there. Tlie connection of the dex)Osit, or veins, under
ground is such that one claim can not be drained without draining
the others. One company erected a costly pumping plant and under-
took to clear its mine, but soon found that it was removing the water
from the adjacent properties Avithout cost to their owners. The latter
declined to share the expense of pumping. While the controversy
was on, a fire swept away tlie iiumping xilant and much costly machin-
ery. That put a stop to all operations of importance at Tombstone.
There has been considerable chloriding at the caiiix) in the last few
years, but not on account of the big companies. At this time of writ-
ing the companies have entered into an agreement to reopen and ox>er-
ate their properties, and it is expected that the coming year will see a
grand revival of the celebrated camp. The average x^i’oduct of the
mines at depth is 60 per cent silver and dO per cent gold.
Had silver held its former xu’ice of II or more xier ounce, Arizona
to-day would lead the country in the xu’oduction of the white metal.
Her mountains are ribbed with silvei’, and transportation facilities are
immeasurably better than in the days when silver was king.
COPPER.
AVhile this rexiort is supposed to deal xiarticularly with the x>i‘PPious
metals, it would be incomxilete without a statement concerning the
cox)per-niining industry, which is xiaramount in Arizona. Michigan
and Montana alone of the mining States lead Arizona as coxixier xiro-
ducers, and as the cox)Xier area in those States is circumscribed, while
in Arizona the metal is widely diffused, exxierts say the day is not
far distant when the State that is to be will lead the world in the coxiper
statistics. Copper is found in every xiart of Arizona where xu’osxiectors
find their way. There are already five well-known xioints of produc-
tion separated by great distances, in some instances the cainx^s being
300 miles ax^art. The best known and best develoxied proxierties are
at Jerome, in north central Arizona; at Bisbee, in the extreme south-
east; at Clifton, on the extreme eastern border; at Morenci, which is
near Clifton, and at Globe, in the east central xiortion of the Territory.
Then there are producing mines without number in all the hills.
Copx>er is known to exist on the Bill Williams fork of the Colorado
RiA^er, in Yavapai County; in the region of Wickenburg, Maricoxia
County, and large deposits are being opened in the region of the Grand
Canyon of the Colorado. An extraordinary dexiosit is being raxudly
developed in the A jo district, in Maricopa County. At Washington
camp and at Helvetia, in southern Arizona, the operations have
assumed an important stage. In the Santa Rita range is located the
Rosernont camp, which did not accomplish much in 1900. The Rose-
mont smelter Avas blown in in March, 1901, after being idle eight
months. The ores Avhich are smelted come from the MoluiAvk claims
I)rincix)ally, Avhich are located a mile from Helvetia, on the Avest side
of the range. The ore is packed over tlie crest of tlie mountains on
burros. Idie Rosernont Comxiany also owns some good claims on the
cjist sloxie of the Santa Ritas, near the smelter, and enough ore is
available to k(;ep the smelter running a long time.
The high piice of copper last year stimulated xu’ospecting and the
investment of capital in copxier xu’operties, and the outlook is for
increased activity in this direction.
The United Verde mine at Jerome, OAvned by United States Senator
PRECIOUS METALS IN TUE UNITED STATES.
79
W. A. Clark, of Montana, heads the list of Arizona copper bonanza
possessions. It was estimated in 1890, in the annual report of tlie
governor of Arizona, that the montldy product of coi^per bullion of
the United Verde was 3,000,000 pounds. I am [)ositive that tlie out-
put in 1000 exceeded this amount. Tlie bullion contains considerable
gold and silver. It has been estimated that each ton of copper oi-e
carries about $3 in gold. The gold produced at Jerome last year
would be regarded as a very satisfactory return by the owners of
some of the best known distinctively gold mines.
The ore bodies of the United Verde are of great extent and value
and will not be exhausted fifty years hence. The principal shaft is
about 800 feet deep and there are extensive underground workings.
Over 1,000 men are employed in and about the mine, and the town of
Jerome, which depends upon the United Verde for its existence, is
growing at a rapid rate. The adjacent region is rich in mineral, and
mining operations are very active there.
The Copjier Queen Company, of Bisbee, is another great producer
of copper. It ships 70 tons of copper matte daily and also a large
amount of black copper in ingots. Three blast furnaces are operated
and about. 1,000 men are employed. The town of Bisbee is assuming
much importance. It is connected with the Southern Pacific Railroad
by a well-equipped bi*anch road. Fully a million and a half dollars
are invested in the Copper Queen plant. The value of the extensive
property can liardly be estimated.
In the Clifton copper district are found the extensive plants of the
Arizona Copper Company at Clifton and the Detroit Copper Company
at Morenci. Both are large inmlucers, employing several thousand
men in their various branches. Each camp is a model of its class.
The Globe coiiper district produces millions of pounds of copper
annually. The completion of a railwaj^ connecting the district with
the Southern Pacific Railroad had a stimulating effect upon tlie pro-
duction in 1900. The cost of xiroducing cojiper in this district has
sensibly decreased in the last two years. The many cojiiier mines in
the region are regarded as extremely valuable.
The Helvetia camj), in Pima County, made a great record in 1000.
As many as 800 men were einjiloj^ed, and the 125-ton smelter was run
to its full capacity. The greatest mineral strikes in the liistory of the
camp were made last year, ore bodies being encountered wliich will
siijiply the smelter with ore for years to come. In one shaft a body of
high-grade sulphide ore was discovered which has a width of 10 feet.
Native cojjper was encountered in another shaft. The smelter
burned early in 1901. At this time of writing a new smelter is nearly
ready to be blown in. The copiier production in 1000 averaged
$40,000 a month. Tlie consensus of oxiinion among mining men of
the region is that Helvetia jiossesses one of the richest storehouses of
wealtli ever discovered in southern Arizona.
Columns might bo written about the wealth of Arizona in copper.
I'h’om this time forward the statistics will tell a story which will
astonish the world. In point of lead production Arizona also will be
heard from favorably. Santa Cruz County is making a record in the
X)roduction of this metal. In Pinal County lead ores carrying silver
occur in several places. In the Mammotli mine lead ores are fre-
quently encountered. The Vekol mine, in Pima County, is famous
for its lead. Galena, the sulphide of lead, is abundantly distributed
in the Territory.
80
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
Source of Product.
Qold: Fine ounces.
From quartz . 196, 494
From placer. 9,100
Total 205,594
Silver: ^ =
From quartz 2, 571, 977
From lead ores .. 225,732
From copper ores . . . 1, 452, 291
Total 4,250,000
CALIFORNIA.
By Charles G. Yale.
Tlie tables appended to tliis chapter sliow the production of gold
and silver in the State of California for the calendar year 1900, the
tables being the results obtained from returns by producei*s to the
mint of the United States at San Francisco. These returns show that
the yield of the State in precious metals in 1900 was —
Gold $15,863,355
Silver. ... 1,510,344
Total 17,373,699
The silver thi*oughout this chapter is given in figures of coining
value so as to conform to the general tables of ijroduction prepared
by the Director of the Mint. Moreover, a greater effort has been
made to obtain the proportion of silver in the gold shipments than has
been usual, and this, together with the use of the coining value
instead of commercial value, will account in a measure for the figures
which show a material increase in silver product.
In comparing the totals of gold and silver returns for 1900 with
those obtained from the same sources in 1899 it will be seen that a
total increase of $1,533,656 has taken place, of which $527,324 was in
gold and $1,006,332 was in silver. This marked increase in silver is
explained in part in the pieceding paragraph, though there has been
a real as well as apparent increase in the outi^ut of this metal.
The term “ undistributed” in the recai)itulation table showing yield
of the State by counties, is intended to cover the yield of ore, sul-
phurets, etc., purcliased by or shipped to the smelting coni]3anies and
from which no direct returns from original producers were received
at the mint. It covers the gold obtained from smelting lead and
copper ores, exceptionally ricli cpiartz, sulphurets, etc. The separate
amounts making up this “undistributed” aggregate it is impossible
to apportion to the respective counties. It is found impracticable to
ascertain the proportion of gold fi-om the different classes of ore
worked, or the source by counties, as no track has been kept of it in
these respects. In some parts of the State miners have shipped ores
taken out on tribute or on leases. In others, minei*s owning their
own claims, but no reduction works, have been the shippers. And
again, the smelting conix)anies have purchased ores and sulphurets
and have not endeavored to ascertain the source by county. The
term “undistributed” covers the yield in such cases.
Of the sum of $17,373,699 (total gold and silver), $14,058,187 was
dei’ived fi-om quartz-mining operations, $1,367,016 from hydraulic
mines, $1,018,246 from drift mines, and $930,250 from surface placer
oi)erations. Idie placers include ordinary surface diggings worked by
rocker, sluice, or tom, river-bed mines, bars, ground-sluicing opera-
tions, dredgers, etc. From dredging operations included in the placer
12066—01 6 81
82
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
total is the sum of $200,929. Tliis was obtained by maeliiiie dredges,
several of which are now in operation in the State and more are being
built. Some which were working in 1899 did nothing in 1900, while
other new ones only commenced i)roductive operations late in the year
under consideration. Some large tracts of gravel land around Oroville
liave been recently purchased and new dredgers are to be built to work
it. Other dredgers are to be placed on the Klamath River or its
tributaries, where some dredging work has already been done.
From copper-mining operations in Shasta, Calaveras, and San
Bernardino counties they obtained $382,264 in gold and $645,219 in
silver, all of which is included in the total from quartz. The largest
operations of this character are in Shasta Coun ty. Ores are purchased
from numerous quartz mines for use in mixing with the copper ores
of the Mountain Copper Coinjiany, and it is from these ores that this
gold and silver is procured. A great number of miners are now enabled
to dispose of theii* ores to the smelters, and these mines are thus made
productive without the necessity of special reduction works.
In the returns received at the mint at San Francisco from quartz
mines, $67,660 in gold and $70,738 in silver are shown to have been
derived from lead ores. Doubtless there was more of the precious
metals from this source as well as from copper and other ores, since
more or less ore was purchased by the smelters, the returns from
which are given under the term “undistributed” in the table of pro-
duction by counties.
For the fourth successive year California experienced a “dry sea-
son” in 1900, the rainfall having been much less than the normal
amount. As a result there was a very short season for liydraulic
mining and a scarcity of water in tlie ditches which deliver water to
the quartz mills for i^ower. In the fall in several of the mining coun-
ties many quartz mills had to close operations entirely for a time or
“hang up” a portion of their stamps. This caused the temporary
discharge of many miners and reduced tlie amount of ore worked.
Many of ilie larger quartz mines of the State, where they use water
for power, have now provided themselves with steam })lants as well,
whicli may be used wlien the water supply is sliort. The increase in
electric-power plants lias brought a means of relief and furnished
cheaper power. Along the mother lode and in some other localities
crude California petroleum is now being used for fuel instead of wood,
whieh will decrease cost of milling quite materially. Several of the
larger mines have contracts for oil fuel, which will make a decided
difference in former cost. The develoiunents in the oil fields of the
State within the jiast year are thus seen to exercise a beneficial influ-
ence on the gold-mining industry. The cost of transportation of coal
from the raib’oad has prevented the use of that fuel, and wood had to
be deiiended on. As this has become scarcer and liigher the advent
of the oil fuel in the quartz-mining regions of the State is a matter of
great inq)ortance.
The reoiiening of old quartz mines continues in many parts of
California. These mines were abandoned years ago when the prev-
alent conditions made the cost too high to work ores of low grade.
With the improvements in processes and machinery such mines have
bc^come valuable, ])i‘ovided sufficient ca])ilal is invested to pro^HM-ly
develop and equip them. In fact, along the mother lode the best
paying mines of to-day, and the deejiest, are those which had lain idle
for many years, but were intelligently reopened and properly equipped
with modern machinery. Capitalists seem to prefer to reopen a mine
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
83
wliifh had made a record for bullion output in its early history rather
than to take the chances on opening and develoi)ing an entirely new
prospect.
In the year lOOO there were 31 counties of California which made a
production of gold, as against 30 in 1899, and there were 20 which pro-
duced some silver, as compared with 20 in the previous year.
The counties which irrodnced in 1900 over $1,000,000 each, in their
order of rank are as follows:
Mevada ..
Ctilaveras
Tuolumne
Amador . .
Sha.sta . . .
$1,878,877
1,739,888
1 , 659, 258
1,388,703
1,369,107
The order in rank of those counties producing over half a million
dollars in gold alone is as follows: Nevada, Calaveras, Tuolumne,
Amador, Placer, Siskiyou, Kern, Shasta, Mono, Sierra, and Trinity.
The order in rank, considering silver only, of the counties produc-
ing over $50,000 is as follows:
Shasta
San Bernardino
Kern
Inyo ..
Calaveras ....
Mono ...
Nevada ..
Tuolumne
$635, 640
173, 759
147, 736
113,493
80, 603
75, 931
66, 841
63, 367
The order in rank of the counties producing over half a million dol-
lars in combined yield of gold and silver is as follows: Nevada, Cal-
averas, Tuolumne, Amador, Shasta, Placer, Siskiyou, Kern, Mono,
Sierra, and Trinity.
These figures, as stated, relate only to rank in the production of gold
and silver. When the values of some forty other mineral substances
produced in California are considered, the rank is then very different.
Shasta County, in that case, heading the list, owing to its large copper
output, and some of the other gold-yielding counties with large prod-
ucts also of petroleum, borax, quicksilver, etc., outranking those
which only have gold and silver mines.
In Amador County, while an increase in silver is shown over the
previous year’s record, the decrease in gold output is quite material
and makes a total decrease in the yield of the county of $163,067.
Some of the larger mines made smaller returns than in 1899, whicJi
is the cause of this showing. This is one of the “mother lode”
counties, where very deep mining is being carried on and where the
existence of good ore bodies at great depth have been proven. Sev-
eral of the most productive mines at the present time are those which
wei-e abandoned twenty or thirty years ago at a depth of 400 or 500 feet,
when it Avas thought there was nothing worth seeking for farther down.
On the reopening of these mines, however, systematic deep sinking
was carried on, since which time they have been mucli more i)rofitable
than during their early career. In one of these mines where good ore
bodies have been found at a deptli of 2,300 feet, an entirely new shaft
is being sunk some distance from the old one, Avhich has been equipped
so as to be sunk to 6,000 feet. In other mines very heavy machinei’y
has been put in, capable of handling ore from great depths. The
producing mines in the county are quartz properties and the principal
ones are the Keystone Consolidated of Amador City; the Argonaut;
Kennedy; Oneida and Zeila, at Jackson, and Central Eureka; Lin-
84
PKECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATICS.
coin; Wildmaii; Mahoney; South Eureka and AVestern (Baliol), at
Slitter Creek.
Butte County shows an increase of 10,810 in its total product over
previous year. This is essentially a gravel mining county, tliough
there are several quartz mines, including one inqioi-tantone — the Gold
Bank, at Forbestown. It is in this county that the largest dredging
operations in the State are being carried on. Several gold dredgers
are at work and more are being built. The dredging opei-ations are
by no means confined to the river beds, but are carried on at some
distance from any streams, in the middle of old bearing orchards. The
fruit lands have been bought up by the dredging companies, which
sink a hole at any suitable point, iilace the hull or lioat part of the
dredge therein, put in the requisite machinery, and begin digging.
The surface water flowing into the excavation floats the dredge. The
buckets dig ahead and the tailings and rocks are thrown behind, iiartly
filling uptlie space excavated. Thus the dredger carries its float hole
with it, so to sjieak. The trees are sacrificed, of course, the aurifer-
ous gravel underneath the orchards being more valuable than the
trees and tlieir product. Within the past year many hundreds of
acres of such lands have been purchased foi* mining purposes. There
are many Chinese in this county, working on their own account or in
a small way. The largest producers in the county are the dredgers
and gravel mines near Oroville and the quartz mine at Forbestown.
Calaveras County shows the largest increase in gold product of any
county in California, whicli is mainly due to the operations of the
Utica, Lightner, and Gwin mines. The imiucipal x>roducing mines in
tlie county are quartz, and are the Angels, Lightner, and Utica min-
ing companies, at Angels; the Gwin Mine Development Company, at
Gwinmine; the Royal Consolidated, at Hudson, and the Sheep Ranch
mine, at Sheepranch.
At Robinsons Feny some extensive operations are going on at the
Melones Consolidated, but they have not yet been brought to a pro-
ducing stage. The Gwin is one of the very old mines of the State,
which has been reopened b}^ a new shaft and equipped with an exten-
sive plant.
At this mine deep gold mining on the mother lode has again been
proved very successful. In this county 1,512 miners are employed,
an increase of one-third tlie number employed in the i)i‘cvious yeai*,
and this has been followed by an increase of one-third in precious-
metal yield for the year. Calaveras was No. 4 on the list of gold-
producing counties in 189!), but in 1900 it takes second place, being
l)receded by Nevada and followed l)y Tuolumne. The total increase
of yield over previous year is shown fo be $454,511.
Del Norte, which is entirely a jilacer-mining county, with some beach
mines, shows a de(u*ease of less than a thousand dollars from the
previous year’s outi)ut.
Eldorado County lessened its product of the year by $19,241. One
of the lai-ge quartz mines of the county lias been closed down entirely
as unprofitable. AVhile this is a noted placer-mining region and tlie
county in which gold was discovered in California, the principal single
producers are now all quartz mines.
Fresno is not a very important ('ounty from the gold-mining point
of view, though it shows an increasi^ of prodiu*! for the year of $4, (!8o.
In this county some very extensive and important develoimients in
PKECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STA.TES.
85
p(‘ti-oleiiin h<ive taken placid of late, and tliere av(^ now many prodne-
in^’ wells.
In lluniboldt County mining is eonlined to hydraulic and ocean
beach-saiid operations. The principal hydraulic i.iines are at ()i*leans,
and beach mining is carried on at I)ows Prairie, Eureka, Orick, and
a few intermediate places along the edge of the Pacific Ocean. The
county show\s an increase of $40,068 over its record of the previous
year.
Inyo County shows a decided increase of product l)oth in gold and
silver. The mines around Ballarat have come to the fi*ont with good
fields, and there are more of them at work. The principal ])roducers
are ([uartz, and they are the Radclilf, at Ballarat; Lane, at Darwin;
St. John, at Modoc, and Reward mine, at Reward.
While the gold product of Kern County is less by $58,102 than in the
previous year, its increase in silver pi’oduet amounts to enough to
make the total increase in precious-metal product of the county come
to $82,704. There are fewer men employed in the mines than in 1899,
owing to the closing of some of the mines around Randsburg. The
principal quartz mines in the county are the Dead Tree, at Amalie;
Ophir group, at Ilavilah; Karma, at Mohave; Fairview and Leader,
at Rosamond, and the Butte, Napoleon Consolidated, and Yellow
Aster, at Randsburg.
The last-named mine is one of the largest producing gold mines in
the State. The company owning it recently completed a $90,000 water
system and a new hundred-stamp mill. The mine employ's about 125
men, and, aside from its productiveness, is important in that it has
proven the existence of paying ore at good depth in the Randsburg
district.
Lassen County shows a decrease in product of $8,415, due to les-
sened product of some of the mines at Ilajalen Hill. Los Angeles
County shows a decrease of $7,624, the mines at Acton and Newhall
not having produced as much as usual in 1900. In Madera County
the total product exceeds by $33,917 that of the j)revious year. The
principal production came from the Waterloo at Coarse Gold, the
Gambetta at Grub Gulch, and the Mud Springs mine at O’Neals.
The most marked decrease in output for the year of anj^ county is
that shown by Mariposa, the Y)i-oduct of which for the year is $393,520
less than in 1899. The closing down and abandonment of the Mount
Gaines and lessened product of other mines near Ilornitus accounts
for this in some measure. The Whitlock and Alabama, at Whitlock,
now being worked by leasers, also shows a lessened yield. The largest
falling off is, however, due to the fact that the Merced Gold Mining
Company, which was the largest producer in 1899, did development
work only in 1900 and did not run its mill. This was the largest
ducer in the county and still emi)lo3^s 80 men in the development work.
In fact, the amount in which the county is lacking for the last year is
about the aggregate amount i)roduced in the previous year b}^ the
three large mines mentioned.
There is veiy little difference in the yield of the two j^ears in Mono
County. There is a small decrease in gold and increase in silver.
The principal camp is Bodie, at which place is the most important
mine in the county, the Standard Consolidated. Another mine mak-
ing a good production is the Crystal Lake Compan.y, at Lund3^ There
are several cyanide plants at Bodie which are operated on tailings in
86
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
a profitable manner. The county pays the liighest rate of miners’
wages in the State, the average being 14 per da}\
Nevada Countj^ while showing for the year a marked decrease in
its gold product, is still the leading gold-producing county in the
State, a record which it has maintained for many years. Very few
new mines were added to the producing list last year, while some of
the larger producers show a lessened yield. The hydraulic mines of
this county, which formerly made large outputs, are unable, under
the pi’eseiit laws requiring impounding dams for their tailings, to
work as much gravel as when there were no restrictions, and their
yield is thus necessarily limited. Some of them are now worked by
hydraulic and drifting process. In the latter only the lower stratum
of the gravel deposit is worked, while by hydraulicking the whole bank
can be worked. Some of the most important and best equipped quartz
properties in the State are in this county, mainly at C4rass Valley and
Nevada City. In addition to liolding first rank as a gold producer,
this county has the distinction of giving employment to more miners
than any county in the State, the number for 1900 being 1,989, a few
more than in f,he iirevious year.
Orange County, which was not among the producers in 1899, made
a small output from the Lucas Canyon placers in 1900,
Placer County, which comes No. 6 in rank among the counties of
the State, shows somewhat of a decrease for the past year. This is
the most important among the drift mining counties of the State, the
Forest Hill Divide being the center of this branch of the gold-mining
industry. The quartz mines of the county did not make as good a
showing as in the previous year, which accounts for the lessened
product in some degree, though the shortness of the water supply for
the gravel mines had its influence also. This is one of the counties
giving employment to over 1,000 men, though in this respect its rank
is No. G.
•Plumas County shows a slight decrease from its product of the
previous year. In this county are numerous small hydraulic mines
and some few important quartz properties. The largest individual
producer is a quartz mine, and tlie second is a hydraulic mine, oper-
ated by Chinese. However, there is no mine in the county which
reached a yield exceediiig the 1100,000 mark.
The mines at Perris and Banning, in Riverside County, are not as
productive as formei’ly, which accounts for the slightly lessened
product of this county. The Ii*on Chief, at Walters, a new property,
is now the most productive mine in the county, and in a measure
makes up for the deficit occui*ring at the cam}) at Perris,
Saci’amento is essentially a gravel mining region, most of the claims
being surface placers. There is one gold dredger at work near Fol-
som. The most jiroductive mine in the county is a drift mine — the
Blue Ravine — near Folsom. There are many Chinese opei*ating near
Folsom and some at Michigan Bai-and Natoma.
San Bernardino, which is the second in rank in silver-jiroducing
counties of the State, shows for the year an increase of 183,350 gold
and $47,15G silver, a total of $130,506. The numbei’ of men at work
has also imu-eased from 389 in 1899 to 54G in 1900. The old silver
mines at Calico ar(^ now only mined in a small way by tributers.
The new pro})erties at Ludlow and in the Slate Range greatly helps
the county out in its product. The “ dry- washing” placers near Bar-
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
87
stow, discovered iu 1900, were very productive and profitable; some
of tlie older mines, however, at Daggett and Vanderbilt, did not do so
well as previously.
San Diego County shows an increase of $22,097 in its total out[)ut
for the year. The largest producer in this county is the Free Gold
or Golden Cross mine at Hedges. A new producer of moment is the
American Girl, at Ogilby; and the Oro Fino, at Escondido, makes a
material increase in yield. The working of tailings by the Western
Extension Company, at Pichacho, has been cpiite successful. There is
little new to note of in the neighboi'ing camps of Julian and Banner,
where there are numerous mines, only one, however, yielding over
$15,000 for the year,
Shasta County holds first rank among the counties of the State as a
producer of silver, and is No. 5 in both gold production and total.
In number of men employed it ranks third. Were the copper product
considered, this county would hold first rank among all the counties
of the State as a mineral producer and lead them all by two or three
millions of dollars. The operations of the Mountain Copper Com-
paii3% at Fielding and Keswick, are the most extensive in the State.
It is due to the smelting operations at Keswick that so large an out-
put of silver occurs. The company purchases large quantities of gold
and silver ore, used as flux in smelting operations, with the result that,
in addition to the copper, a great deal of gold and silver is obtained.
'Idle operations of this large companj^ have had the result of stimu-
lating the mining industry in this and adjoining counties, since the
miners now have a ready market for their ores and do not have to
construct individual reduction works. Their success has, moreover,
led to other large investments in adjacent copper properties, and new
smelters have been erected, while others are contemplated. Next to
the Mountain Copper Companj^, the Midas Gold Mining Companj^ is
making the largest output.
Sierra County shows a marked improvement in its gold product for
the year, though there is only one very large producing mine in the
count3\ There are, however, numerous mines being worked in vari-
ous camps. While mainly a gravel mining county, the three mines
making the largest individual outputs are quartz, viz, the Crccsus,
near Alleghany; the Gold Bluff, at Downieville, and the Sierra Butte,
at Sierra Cit3\ The Croesus is the most important mine in the county.
The greatest number of mines in one locality are at Downieville.
Sierra ranks No. 10 among the gold and silver yielding counties of
California.
Siski3"ou County shows a slight falling off in its yield as compared
with the previous 3^ear, and stands No. 7 in rank of bullion produc-
tion, while it is No. 2 in number of men employed. In this count3^
there are 1,542 men employed — a few less than in the preceding year.
This is largely a h3Mraulic-mining county — that is, most of the mines
are of that class. However, the first eight mines in order of amount
of yield for the year are quartz properties, and one of them alone pro-
duced one-fifth of the entire yield of the county. There are very
large tracts of gravel in Siskiyou which are 3^et unworked, since,
while water is more abundant than in the central counties of Cali-
fornia, there are no large reservoirs and ditch systems from which
water ma3^ be bought by men working on a small scale. The result
is each mine must provide its own water sui3pl3^, and many persons
88
PRECIOUS MEa’ALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
liave not the funds to bring in as much water as they could use. Tlie
quartz interests of Siskiyou County lia\"e greatl}^ increased in impor-
tance in the past few years, as is shown by what is stated al)ove.
There are many Chinese working for themselves in tliis county and
numbers are employed by tlie whites to work in gi*avel claims.
"I'lie largest single x)roducer in the county is near ILonibrook and,
as stated, is a quartz mine. Tlie largest liydraulic mine, in point of
yield, is at Sawyers Bar.
Stanislaus County shows a double yield for the }^ear 1000, which is
mainly due to drift-mining operations near Knights f’erry. The few
mines in this county are all drift, hydraulic, or sui-face placers, no
quartz being worked to a productive stage.
There is a very slight difference in the yield of Trinity County in
the iiast two years, though the returns show fewer men employed than
in 1899. This is a gravel-mining county, Imt there are several large
producing quartz mines. The principal mines are the Brown Bear,
at Deadwood; Chloride-Bailey and Ulobe, at Dedrick; Yellow^ Rose
of Texas, at Abrams; Bine Ja37^ and Golden Jubilee, at Carville. The
principal gravel mines, mainty h^xlraulic, are the La Grange, at AVeav-
erville; Compagnie Francaise, at Junction City; Indian Creek, at
Douglas City; Trinity Gold Mining Sjmdicate, at Abrams; the Ilurte-
vant claims, at .Tunction City; and the Sj^kes Compan^g at Triidly"
Center. Rear Lowden Ranch the Poker Bar Mining Ck)inpaiyy are
running a gold dredger successfulty. There are numerous Chinese in
this county working for themselves or for the whites. Sonieimpoi-tant
discoveries of extensive gravel beds have been recently" made on the
tops of the mountains above the La Grange properties, and these are
now thought to have been the source of the gold found in such (pian-
tities in eai*l}^ da^^s in the basin around AYeavei-ville. The new ground
is now being developed.
The few quartz mines around White River, in Tular<‘ County, did
not make quite so much of an output as in the previous 3^(‘ar.
While Tuolumne County shows a slightl}" increased ^deld foi- 1900
over its x^revious j^'ear’s i-ecord, 3^et it. takes third place in rank among
the counties instead of second, as in 1899, being exceeded in both gold
and total outyut b}^ Nevada and Calavei*as counties. Tins is the same
rank Tuolumne Chunty ln9d in 1898. The mines in Tuolumne Cbunty
are i^racticall^’ all quartz and there are several large i)roducers. Among
them are the Longfellow, at Big Oak Flat; Consolidated Eureka, at
Carters; Eagle-Shawmut, at Chinese Camj); Confidence, at Confidence;
Ajip Mining Conqiany, at Jamestown ; Dutch, at Quartz; Consolidated
Golden Gate and Suli)hui*et, at Sonora; Black Oak, at Soulsb^vville,
and Junqier Gold Mining S^mdii-ate, at Stent. The last named is the
largest iiroducer in the county. There are seveml “ xiocket” mines in
this county, which may make a large iiroduction in one ^mar and little
or nothing the next. The diy season of 1900 had a bad effect in this
county, as lack of water comxmlled large mills to close for a time in
the fall; otherwise a lai-ger ^deld would have been shown.
''fhere ai-e veiy few mines being ojierab'd in Ventura C/Ounty, and
the total 3deld is about one-thi?‘d less than in the xirevious ,yeai’.
Yuba has usuall}' been known as a jilacer-mining county, and most
of its mines are of that character; still the largest jn-oducer, as in other
gravel-mining counties, is a (luartz mine which is located at Browns
Vallejo The comity shows an increase of $94,092 in xirodiuJ over the
yield of 1899.
The following table shows the distribution of the total gold and silver
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
89
product of Califoriiui, by counties, in the calendar year l!tOO, bas(‘d on
returns received from producers at the mint of tlie United States at
San Francisco:
Product ok California, by Counties, 1900.
RECAPITULATION.
(’ounty.
Gold.
Silv'ei-.
Total.
Amador
Butte ....
$1,37:1,788
4a5, 58!)
1, ‘>4!), i2t;
$14,915
1:1, 082
80, 702
$1,388, 103
498,071
1,729,888
3,48:1
393,070
22,825
109, 727
327, 148
952,988
20,483
5, .508
107,907
171,510
746, 121
1,878,877
2,407
998, 213
('alaveras
Del Norte
3; 48:i
308, .541
Eldorado
25,129
479
Fresno
aa; 346
Humboldt
KW; 444
m, 0.55
805,2.52
19, 807
5,508
104, i:i4
157, 66:1
070,200
1,812,030
2,407
986,155
365,210
149, 292
170, 007
247, 949
335,9:17
73,3,467
6.59,696
951,397
21,212
571,605
10, 445
1,. 596, 891
2, .562
280,306
972, 185
28;i
Inyo
11:1, 493
147, 7.30
Kern '.
T . ...
' 070
Los Angeles
Madera
3, 8:1.3
13,85:1
75,921
66,841
Mariposa
Mono
Nevada '
Orange
Placel’
12,058
4,159
6,848
986
Phimas
:i09i :109
Riverside
1.56, 140
176,993
420, 708
3;55,747
1,:169, 107
00:1, 159
Sacramento
San Bernardino .
172,7.59
San Diego
Shasta
19,810
6:15, 040
3, 463
13, 986
Sierra.
Siskiyou
Stanislaus
21,212
588, 172
10, 878
1,659,2;58
2, 502
Trinity
i0,567
43:1
Tulare
Tuolumne
62,367
Ventura .
Yuba...
4,265
284,o:il
972, 185
Undistributed
Total
15,863,355
1,510,:144
17, 373, 699
The following table shows tlie output of gold and silver in Cali-
fornia for the years 1899 and 1900, with the gains and losses of the
respective counties in comparing the two j^ears, the figures being
taken from returns by producers to the mint of the United Slates at
San Uranciseo:
Comparative Output for 1899 and 1900.
County.
Amador
Butto
Calaveras
Del Norte
Eldorado .
Fresno
Humboldt
Inyo
Kern
Lassen
Los Angeles
Madera
Marii)osa
Mono
Nevada
Orange
Placer
Plumas
Riverside
Sacrajnento
San Bernardino
1899.
WOO.
Increase.
Decrease.
$1,551,770
$1,;]88,703
$io:i, 007
491,855
498, 071
$0,810
1,275,377
1,729,888
454,511
4,4.50
3,48:i
967
412,911
:i93, 070
19,:mi
18, 142
22,825
4,683
09,0.59
109, 727
40, 008
171,710
327,148
155,4:12
870, 224
!),52,988
82, 764
28,898
20,483
8,415
13, 1:12
5, .508
7,624
74,050
107,967
33, 917
.505,5X10
171,. 516
393,520
744,610
746, 121
1,.505
2, 189, 2!)4
1,878,877
2, 407
998,213
2,407
310,417
1,101,287
103,074
:181,106
:k)9,:i69
11,797
165,010
1,55, 140
8,870
11.5,!)00
170, 993
01,087
290, 202
420, 708
130, 506
90
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
Comparative Output for 1899 and 1900 — Continned.
County.
1899.
1900.
Increase. | Decrease.
San Diego .
$333,650
1,069,933
450,474
991,871
10,000
591,596
13, 610
1,65(7, 880
3, 990
189, 939
$.‘155, 747
1,369,107
663, 1.59
965, 383
31,313
588, 173
10,878
1,6.59,358
3,56.3
384, m
973, 185
$33,097
399, 175
313,685
Shasta
Sierra .. . .
Siskiyou ..
$36, 488
Stanislaus -
11,313
Trinity
3,434
3, 733
Tiilare..
Tuolumne- -
8,378
Ventura -
1,428
Yuba -
94,693
973, 185
Undistributed . .
Total
15,840,043
17,373,699
3,594,730
1,5(33,6.56
1,061,064
Total increase, 19(H).
Tlio following table shows in detail, by counties, the source of the
gold and silver in California in 1900;
Source of G-old and Silver, 1900.
County.
Quartz.
Placer.
Hydraulic.
Drift.
Amador
$1,347,156
263, 129
1,663,7.51
$26, 690
343, 133
3,576
3, 0,50
37,379
3, 410
33,201
30
10,039
$3,:5(X)
18,374
43, 646
433
6,277
3,300
76,536
$12,5.57
35, 145
30, 915
Butte -
Calaveras
Del N ortc
Eldorado
339, 634
16,215
10, 480
Fresno
Humboldt..
Inyo - - -
337, iis
937,9.59
30,483
1,919
105,467
165,374
737,371
1,576,856
Kern
5,(XK)
I^assen
Los Angeles
3, .589
2,500
6,143
8, 750
67,904
2, 407
113,645
50, 816
Madera
Alariposa
Mono
Nevada
1.56,811
77, 3(H5
Orange
Placer
106,303
213,908
1.56, 140
157, 453
95,884
630,813
9, 761
Plumas.
Riverside
Sacramento
50,015
57, (XK)
3, (KH)
4,298
44,739
29,969
5,065
79,839
10
11,345
17,053
109,936
San Bernardino
363,708
;i.53, 747
1,3.57, 3!)0
416, 628
.570, .304
San Diego
Shasta
7,459
i:36, 860
344, 464
:ioo
339,794
Sierra
64,943
20, 646
15,847
14,600
Siskiyoxi
Stanislaus
Trinity
,363, 939
10, 868
1,647,3.55
2, .563
183,7.58
972, 185
Tulare
Tuolumne
4.50
108
Ventura
Yuba
29,8:39
70,834
3(K)
Undistributed
Total
14,a58,187
350
1,367,016
1,018,246
The wag(‘S of miners vary greatly in the different counties of Cali-
fornia and even in dilferent parts of the same countii^s, as w(dl as in
the same camps where two or thi-ee kinds of gold mining are cari-ied
on, as drift, liydraulic, and (puirtz. Speaking gmierally, the wages
are lower in mining auriferous gravel than in (piartz oi* deep mining.
The rat(‘ for Chiiu'se mimu-s is uniformly lower than foi‘ white. The
highest wages are paid in the southern pai-t of the State, especially in
Mono Count}^ and the lowest in the northern coast counties where
only gravel is workcid and tlie Chinese are more numerous. In the
u])p(‘r or noi-thern jiart. of t he State a good many are employed by the
mont h, with or wit hout board, but usually the wages are by the day.
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
91
The higliest wages are paid in the (luartz-inining counties, where there
is little or no gravel mining.
In Amador Couidy most of the miners work for $2.50 per day,
though in some mines $2.75 is paid, and in a few $3. In one cani[)
where there are 375 men at work in quartz mines, the wages vary from
$2 to $2.50, $2.65, $2.75 to $3, according to class of work underground
and on surface. In Butte County the prevailing rate is $2.50 per day,
though in the largest quartz mine in the comity some are paid as high
as $-1. In a few gravel mines the}' get $50 per month and board. There
are many Chinese in this county, but most of them work for them-
selves in a small way.
Calaveras County gives employment to 1,512 miners, and 550 of
these are at Angels camp, where the most productive gold mine of the
State is situated. At this camp the miners receive from $2.50 and $2.66
np to $3 per day, but tlie average is about $2.75. Where miners get
$2.50, machine men get $3, shaft men $3, engineers $3.50, and labor-
ers $2.25. In the placers, at some camps, the Chinese get $1 per day
and whites $2. In most camps of the county the rate is $2.50 per day.
Few miners are at work in Del Norte County on tlie ocean beach sand
mines and gravel claims, and the average rate is $2 per day. El Do-
rado County pays, generally, $2.50 per day with a few instances where
$3 is paid. In the Fresno County placers men are working for from
$1.25 to $2 per day, while $2.50 is paid in quartz mines. At the ocean
beach sand mines, in Humboldt County, they pay $2 per day or $35
a month and board, and at the hydraulic mines $40 per month and
board. In Inyo County the general rate is $3 per day, though in the
largest camp some get $3.50 and a few $4 per day. In Kern County
tlie rate varies materially, though $3 may be said to be the average,
while in some camps it is $2.50, or $2 and board. At Randsburg, the
largest camp in the county, it is mainly $3, with some at $3.50. The
most important mine there, employing 125 men, pays an average of
$3.25 per day for miners.
The miners in Lassen County get uniformly $2.50 per day, and in
Los Angeles County about the same, though there are some working
for $2.25, and others at $3. In Madei*a County the rate runs from $2
to $2.50 and $3. The largest mine, employing 60 men, pays $2.50.
In Mariposa County the rate is usually $3 and $2.50 for outside men.
At Conlterville, the largest camp, the wages are uniformly $3 per day.
Mono pays the highest wages of any county in the State, $4 jier day,
though in some camps they pay $2.50, or $3 and board. At Bodie,
wliere there are 300 men employed, the rate is $4 for underground
and $3 for surface men.
In Nevada County the rate of wages in the quartz camps is $3 per
day, and $2.50 for shovelers and car men. In the hydraulic and drift
mines the rate is generally $2.50, and, in some instances, $2.75. The
Chinese get $1.50 per day. There are 1,989 miners employed in
Nevada County, the largest number in any county in the State.
Placer is essentially a gravel mining county, where the general
rate of wages is $2.50 jicr day in drift mines. At some drift mines,
liowevei*, where both whites and Chinese are at work, the average
will be $2.20, and at quartz mines $3 is paid. There are more miners
at Michigan Bluff than elsewhere in this county, and there a uniform
rate of $2.50 is paid. At Dutch Flat, where there are many Chinese,
they get $1.50 per day.
In Idumas County, where most of the mining is in auriferous gravel,
the rate of wages varies greatly. In some camps it is $1.50 or $1.60
92
PEECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
per da}' and board, and $1.75 or $2 and board. In others it is $1.75
for Cliinese and $2.50 to $3 for whites, and in some instances $40 to
$50 per month and board. At the point where the most men are
employed the wages average $2.75 per day. In the qnartz camp of
Perris, in Riverside County, wages run from $2.25 to $2.50 and $3.25,
according to character of work; and around Salton they get $2 per
day and board. At one mine, witli 20 men at work, they pay $3.25.
In the gravel mines around Folsom, Sacramento County, tlie men are
paid $1.50 and $2.10 i>er day and $10 per week. The largest mine
employs 60 men at $2.50 per day. The rate of wages in San Ber-
nardino County is about $3 per day, tliough in some cases less is paid,
and at the camp where most men are employed (Doble) the average
rate in quartz mines is $2.75. San Diego County pays miners an aver-
age of $2.50 per da}q though in some mines it is $3. In San Luis,
Obispo County, the rate is $2.50.
Shasta County has 1,516 miners at work, about one-third of the
number being at Fielding, where the Mountain Copper Company’s
mines are situated. The wages there vary fi’om $2.10 to $2.75 per
day. Throughout the rest of the county the wages average $2.50 per
day. In a few places the men are i^aid $2 per day and board, and
$50 per month and l)oard. In the mines at Knob, where there are 200
men, the wages are $2.50. In Sierra County the wages run from $2
to $3 per day, according to character of Avork. In some i)laces they
get from $2 to $2.25 per day and board, and in othei*s $60 to $65 per
month and board. Chinese are hired at $25 per month. The quartz
miners get $3.
Siskiyou County mines give employment to 1,542 men, and varying
rates of wages are paid. There are many Chinese in this county, and
they usually get $1.50 per day. Varying rates in different camps are
$35 per montli and board, $40, $50, or $60 per month and boai'd,
according to nature of AA'^ork. At Fort .Jones and vicinity the rate is
$2.50 per day, or $50 to $60 per month and board, which may be
called the aA’^erage of the county, though in some mines only $2 per
day is ])aid. (Iravel mining, mainlj^ hydi-aulic, largely [)redon)inates
in this county. The largest quartz mine in the county, em2)loying 75
men, pays an average rate of $2.50 jier day.
Trinit}^ is largely a gravel mining county, though there are some
quartz mines being operated successfully. At the largest gravel camp
the average rate for whites is $2.50 jier day; the Chinese get $2 per
day wlien liii-ed by white jK^oiile, and $20 per month Avdieii hired by
Chinese. At the largest cpiartz camp the rate is $2.50 j^er day. At
some camj)S the pay is $1.50 and board; $2 and board, ov $40 to $50
per month and board. In a few |)laces $2.75 i)er day is i)aid, but the
average rate is $2.50. In Tulare County wages are from $2 to $2.50
per day. Tuolumne County pays on the average $3 i^er day to miners.
At the most important (jiiartz mining eenler the rates are as follows:
Miners, $3 i)er day; car men and “muckers,” $2.50; top men, $2 to
$2.50; i)lacksmiths, $3.50; mill men, $3.50 to $4; amalgamatoi-s, $3.50
to $4; concentrator men, $3 to $3.50. At other camps miners are
paid $2.50, $2.75, $3, $3.25, and $3.50, according to character of
employment. Ventui-a C/Ounty pays an average of $3 [xu-day. Yuba
County has an average rate of $2.50, though in some eases the ]>ay is
$3 per da}L
ddie aiipended table shows, by counties, the number of men ennAloyed
in gold and silvei' mines iii Califoi-uia during 1000. It shows also the
number at work in coijper and lead mines which produced any gold
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
93
or silvei’. The total iiiiiiiber employed is 1!),10G, an increase of -105
over the previous year. Tlie table is made from returns sent to the
mint of the United States at San Francisco by pi’odiicers and from
answers fi’om postmasters, express agents, gold-dust buyers, and
others in the various camps. The number does not include the
nomadic prosi)ectors in the various counties, but is iidended to cover
those 1‘egularly eniplo^^ed in mining, either by em[)loynient with com-
panies and i)riA'ate mines, or working claims for themselves:
Minkks Employed in California, 1900.
County.
Number
of men.
County.
N umber
of men.
Aniaflor ...
1,313
Plumas -
590
Butte -
719
Riverside
335
Calaveras .
l,51;i
Sacramento
139
Del Norte
47
San Bernardino
540
El Dorado
S43
San Diego
395
Fresno . .
111
San Luis Obispo
0
Humboldt .... .
PJO
Shasta
1,510
Inyo
aV)
Sierra
'935
Kern . ... ..
835
Siskiyou...
1,543
Lassen
75
Stanislaus . .
25
Los Angele.s
45
Trinity
904
Madera. ..
Tulare
33
Mariposa. .
5W)
Tuolumne
1,481
Mono
473
Ventura
11
Nevada. .
1,989
Yuba
2)0
( >rnTipf*
13
Placer
1 , 440
Total
19, 100
The following table shows the amounts of the gold and silver of
Ualifornia in 1!)00, as to source of production. The term “placers’^
includes surface placers as well as “deep ” gravels worked by hydraulic
or drifting i)rocess. The gold from the copper and lead ores is included
in that from the (piartz. The silver, however, from these sources is
given separately.
Distribution of the Gold and Silver Product of California for the
Calendar Year 1900, as to Sources of Production.
Gold: Fine ounces.
Quartz.- 607,484
Placer .. . ... . 159,905
Total 767,389
Silver;
Quartz 599,069
Placer .. 15,343
Lead ores 54,713
Copper ores ■- 499,032
Total - - - - 1,168,157
The amount of bullion of California production recorded at United
States mints and assay o (Tices and by private refineries and smelters
during tlie calendar year 1!»00 was as follows:
Gold, 853, 0()0. 814 standard oun.ms; value, $15,887,810.35.
Silver, 1,21-1,005.34 standard ounces; coinage value, $1,412,730.13.
The entire mineral product of California for 1900, including all min-
94
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
eral substances and their value, is shown in the following table from
Bulletin No, 21 of the California State mining bureau:
Mineral Product of California for 1900.
Description.
Quantity.
Antimony
Asbestos . -
Asphalt--
Bituminous rock
Borax:
Refined
Crude
Cement
Chrome
Clay:
Brick
Pottery
Coal
Copper
Fuller’s earth - - .
Gold
Granite
Gypsum -
Lead -
Lime -
Limestone
Lithia mica
Macadam
Magnesite
Manganese
Marble
Mineral paint ...
Mineral water ...
Natural gas
Paving blocks
Petroleum
Pyrites
Quartz crystals .
Quicksilver
Rubble
Salt
Sand:
Glass
Quartz
Sandstone
Serpentine.-
Silver
Soda
Slate r...
Tourmaline
Turquoise
tons..
do
do
do
70
50
13,575
35,306
do
do
barrels. -
— tons..
1,603
34,335
53,000
140
M-.
tons.-
do ...
pounds..
tons. .
137,191
59,636
176,956
29,515,513
500
cubic feet..
tons..
...pounds..
— barrels. .
tons..
do
do
do
do
do
do
311,803
2,523
1,040, (XX)
312,517
32, 791
440
360,597
2,253
131
4, 103
529
gallons.
cubic feet.
M.
barrels.
tons.
3,456,115
40,565,500
1,192
4,339,9.50
3,643
flasks. -
--tons..
..do
26,317
438, 690
89,338
do
do
cubic feet-.
do
3,(KK)
2(X)
378, 468
350
tons..
squares..
1,(XM)
3,500
pounds. .
5(X)
Value.
§5, 700
1,250
25;i, 950
71,495
165,036
848,315
131, (X)0
1,400
905,210
60,956
535,531
4,748,242
3, 750
15,863,355
295,773
10,088
41,600
383,699
31,533
11, (XX)
262,570
19,333
1,310
5,891
3,993
268, 607
34,578
33, 775
4,15:3,928
21. 133
18,000
1.182,786
399.073
304, 754
3, (XX)
300
254, 140
:3,(X(0
1,510,344
50, (XK)
36,350
500
30, (XX)
Total
33, 63:3. 945
METHODS OF MINING.
[Prom Bulletin No. 18 of the California State mining bureau, October, 19(X).]
The mining methods in vogue on the Central Lode of California are not, in the
opinion of the writer, those calculated to produce the hest results when viewed
from the standpoint of economy. They ;ire, with few exceptions, the methods of
thirty, of forty, and of fifty years ago, and some of the practices are so primitive
in their nature as to savor of past centuries rather than of decades.
A policy which obtains throughout the mining districts of California is that of
demanding prompt returns from ore development, which is, of course, very desir-
able, but which in many cases works ultimately to the disadvantage of the owner,
and the manager or superintendent is so completely handicapped that he is unable
to make substantial headway.
There arc certain districts where this demand for “ immediate returns” does not
act so disadvantageously, but in the mines of the Central Lode it is imdoubtedly a
short-sighted ])olicy. The reason for this will become apparent when it is under-
stood that with few exceptions the ground is heavy, often sw’elling and crushing
the heaviest timbers.
The usual practice is to drive a crosscut or drift from a station at the shaft to
the vein. This may or may not at once encounter ore. If not, a drift is driven
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
95
alont,' Iho fissure, %vhich must i)e timbered in the most subslanti;il manner. These
drifts arc usually not less than ? feet high, 4 to 5 feet wide at the top, and 7 to <S
feet at the bottom. These dimensions are all inside the timbers. It usually makes
little difference whether the cutting is in ore or not— the ground is generally heavy.
The fissures are often fr in 10 to 40 feet wide, and the miners (of Amador County
]iarticularly) are well acaiuainted with the danger, difficulty, and expense attend-
ing this kind of mining. As soon as pay rock is encountered it is hoisted and sent
to the mill, and the drift continues, while overhand stopes are started and develop-
ment ]>roceeds. It may be several hundred feet to the limit of the property, and
is often over 1,000 feet, and this heavy swelling, sometimes running, ground must
be kept open until the entire level has been explored and the ore to the level above
all extracted and sent to the surface. An idea of the character of some of this
ground may be gained from the statement that in a certain instance a drift of
usual size being driven a distance of 200 feet, at the rate of 5 feet or more daily,
under contract, could not be completed before it became necessary to return to
that portion first driven for the purpose of retimbering. The timbers employed
in holding ground of this character are usually 20 to 30 inches in diameter, and it
is no uncommon thing to see these immense logs, a few weeks after being put in
place, split, crushed, and broken as tho igh they were incapable of offering any
resistance to this all but irresistible force.
The advisability of cutting the main gangways in the hard rock of the walls,
either foot or hanging, and reaching the vein by a system of crosscuts is advised.
This has not as yet at this writing been attempted, but its feasibility and desira-
bility can readily be appreciated when the character of the main fissure, as above
ex]>lained, is understood.
These main gangways, being driven in, say, the foot wall should have crosscuts
extending at right angles to the direction of the main gangway. These should be
disposed at stated intervals for the puri)ose of prospecting the fissure and to render
accessible the ore discovered. In slate the main gangways should be at a distance
of 40 to 60 feet from the vein; where in greenstone, they may be driven nearer the
vein. The crosscuts should be driven at stated intervals, a greater or less dis-
tance apart, according to the character of the ground adjacent to the vein. When
the ground is very bad the crosscuts should be closer, and when less so, at longer
intervals. In most cases, if driven at intervals of 240 feet, the distance will be
found convenient. Raises should always be j)ut through, connecting with the
level above, before stoping is commenced. Very often this important matter is
neglected, owing, as previously stated, to a desire to realize a profit on the ore as
quickly as possible. These raises should be put in about GO feet apart. This,
beginning 30 feet from the point where the crosscut reaches the vein, will admit
of four raises within the 240-foot section suggested, the vein being worked 30 feet
each side of the raise.
When putting through raises it is really an economical plan to sink a winze
from the level above to meet the raise. By this means ventilation will be more
(juickly obtained, and the additional work which men can accomplish will soon
pay for the increased cost of sinking the winze. Men will not and can not per-
form the best work most expeditiously in a foul atmosphere, though this fact
seems to be lost sight of by many mine owners.
In addition to the great disadvantage o^ foul air, when the raises are not put
through the heavy timbers must be hoisted through the raise into the stopes by
means of block and tackle, at great expense of time. If the raise were through,
the cost of handling these great timbers would be very materially reduced by
lowering them through the raise from the level above to the floor of the stope
where they are to be placed in position.
With the lateral drifts and crosscuts completed and drifts driven on the vein,
with raise.-? through to the next level above, the work of stoping can be carried on
at as many points as may be desired, and in a few weeks, or months at most, the
greater portion of the excavation made on the vein, where not filled, will collapse
and be closed up forever. This works no harm or inconvenience, as the main lat-
eral drift remains open.
When operating in this manner, filling for the stopes may be taken from the
hanging wall by driving an inclined raise into it and opening out a chamber. The
rock broken in these chambers will pass by gravity down into the stopes beneath
and fill them, little or no shoveling being necessary. This method of mining and
filling, when properly carried out, will prove more safe and far less expensive than
some of the methods heretofore employed in California mines. In some mines, if
stoping be expeditiously prosecuted in the manner above suggested, no filling will
be re(|uired, the timbers affording all the support necessary; but in most cases
filling of the stopes is advised. Where the hanging-wall country adjacent to the
9B
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
vein has a tendency to cave, it may be that the inclined upraise for the purpose of
obtaining filling for the stopes may be inexpedient. In that case a horizontal
crosscut may be driven to the solid ground of the hanging, that portion nearest
the vein being securely timbered. The filling must then be distributed by means
of wheelbarrows.
These filling chambers may be worked with hand or power drills, large or small,
as seems desirable. One of the greatest items of mining expense, as now practiced,
is that of constantly relieving swelling or running ground, and retimbering.
When the ore shoot is attacked in sections by cross-cuts from the lateral drift, any
particular section need remain open only a few months at most, instead of two,
three, or more years as now.
Another advantage may be derived by driving an intermediate level midway
between the main levels, if the ground is particularly bad, and connecting with
the cross-cut or gangway beneath by a raise. In this manner the floor of the
lower main level need only be maintained about half the time that would be
necessary if all ore were sent down to the main level through a mill hole extend-
ing upward 100 feet, more or less, and connecting two main levels. This plan
would, of necessity, require that a raise be cut through solid rock from the vicinity
of the main gangway to the foot wall of the vein, reaching it about midway
between two levels. Each of these raises would have an approximate height of
45 to 00 feet, and would cost, perhaps, when timbered, $500; but the expense of
keeping open the level in the vein would soon offset this expense if the ground
were very bad.
Timbering. — The timbers employed in the mines of the central lode are
uniformly large — 18 to 80 inches in diameter — and the method of framing and
placing them varies somewhat, but is usually, in the larger stopes, some mod fica-
tion of the system known throughout the world as the Nevada s luare-set. The
placing of these timbers is accomplished often under great disadvantage and, in
some instances, with considerable evident danger. The men selected for this
work usually represent the finest type of physical manhood, for no others could
accomplish the arduous task expeditiously. As to the relative merits of the
respective methods of framing these heavy timbers, it seems only necessary to say
that those systems involving the least framing with ax and adz underground, and
consequent smaller loss of time in placing timbers in position, are the methods
best adapted to regular practice.
In some mines an objection is raised to the employment of sills on the main
floor of a level, for the reason that the sills rot before the stopes can be carried
through from any level to the next above. In most cases there is no excuse for
this. A reprehensible practice, which is found almost universal in these mines, is
that of attempting to carry up stopes of too large a superficial area, and this prac-
tice is responsible for some disastrous caves which have occurred in various
mines. A stope of smaller superficial area can generally be carried from one
level to the next above more quickly and safely than a large one, and in most
cases, even by the present “old fashioned ” methods of mining, a stope of small
sectional area may be carried through in a few months— long before the sills
become weakened by reason of decay. If the development of the mine were (.*ar-
ried on well in advance of the extraction of the ore, it would not be found necessary
to open these large stopes, as a number of smaller stopes would supply the same
amount of ore daily as is usually drawn from one, two, or three large stopes, and
it would be found that ultimately the cost would be materially less, as in most
cases there would be no loss of ore, no disastrous caves, and work could be
accomplished more expeditiously and more cheaply.
Filling.— T\\exe are few veins on the central lode where, by present mining
methods, filling is not absolutely necessary, though by the adopt’on of the lateral
foot wall gangway system heretofore suggested in some of the smaller mines,
filling might to some extent be dispensed with, the walls being allowed to collapse
after removing the ore.
Material for filling is usually obtained from cross cuts and drifts driven in pros-
pecting, and from chambers cut in the walls of the veins, generally the hanging
wall. There are few veins on the lode so small as to make enough waste in sloping
to fill the excavation. Ordinarily all the rock removed from the pay shoot goes to
the mill, and filling must be obtained elsewhere. In some of the larger mines,
where the veins are of great size, 40 to 100 feet or more in width, it is not uncom-
mon lo find the entire vein removed for a distance along its strike equal to and
often iuuch greater than its width, the entire area overhead resting upon the
props reaching from the topmost set of timbers to the roof. There maybe three,
four, or more floors in place, and the stope may be found filled from the sill floor
to within a floor or two from the top; but it is clearly evident that in a stope of
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
97
the size indicated, this filling can afford but little if any support to the hanging
wall, and none at all to the back of the stope.
Failure to recognize this fact has resulted disastrously in more than one mine.
The filling must be placed in such a manner as to support the back of the stope
over as large an area as possible, and a portion of this filling, at least, must be
placed by hand, for it is clearly evident that should any subsidence occur in a stope
approximating 100 feet square, timbers can not be depended on to support the
great weight. In a stope having a width and length of 100 feet and carried up
four floors in height, there would remain between the top set and the floor of the
level next above (65 feet) not less than 50,000 tons of ore. Should this become
“ dead weight,” each post of the sets in place would have to sustain a load of sev-
eral hundred tons of ore in addition to the weight coming from ore and filling in
levels above, and to this must be added the greater pressure coming from the
direction of the hanging wall. This weight or pressure will vary greatly in dif-
ferent mines, depending upon the character of the ground, the condition of the
walls, and to no small extent upon the angle of dip of the vein. Were the enor-
mous weight of this great shifting mass of rock equally distributed, there would
be less probability of a cave; but often, the weight being transferred from point
to point, owing to the mobility of the ground, the pressure upon some given point
becomes greater than the timbers can sustain, and a single line of sets once forced out
of position renders the remaining sets less secure than before, and general collapse
results; and most miners are familiar with the dangers and extraordinary expense
incident to the recovery of a caved stope and the extraction of the shattered
masses of ore from the zone above the cave. In veins having vertical walls the
danger of caves is much lessened, but the mines of the California gold belt dip
at all angles ranging between 30 and 85 degrees, the greater number being between
45 and 70 degrees, below the plane of the horizon. This being the case, the pres-
sure upon timber sets is exerted diagonally and not directly downward upon the
posts of the sets. Naturally this renders the square, or rectangular, sets less
capable of sustaining the weight and pressure. In some mines diagonal braces
are set in to take this hanging- wall pressure more directly, but timber will not
hold it.
In consideration of the above facts, the absolute necessity of filling becomes
apparent, and the necessary preparations to this end should always be promptly
made in order that the filling of the stopes be not too long delayed. Filling must
be carried on contemporaneously with ore extraction, and in stojjing the excava-
tions should be carried upward in sections of relatively small superficial area, the
filling being packed as close to the back of the stope as possible. Where the veins
do not greatly exceed 15 feet in width, the conditions are essentially changed, as
in such cases the stopes may be timbered with stulls set slightly above a right
angle to the dip of the walls. Most mines, where the walls are sufficiently firm,
are timbered in this manner when the distance between walls admits of it. The
conditions are so variable in these different mines, and often in different parts of
the same mine, that the methods of timbering embrace almost every phase known
in practice. The various methods of timbering employed in California mines and
elsewhere were described and illustrated by the writer in Bulletin No. 2 of the
California State Mining Bureau, February, 1896.
Drainage. — A very important factor in the economy of mining is the water
encountered in the underground workings, and an ever-present question is the
most inexpensive method of removing this incoming water from the mine. It is
accomplished in three ways: By natural drainage through tunnels, by means of
pumps, or by bailing. This subject has been exhaustively treated in Bulletin No.
9 of the State Mining Bureau, by Hans C. Behr, M. E., and it is unnecessary to
more than refer to it here. On the central gold belt, and in fact throughout Cali-
fornia, the large majority of mines bail water from sumps at the bottom of the
shafts, or from tanks situated at various levels, where water descending from the
surface and upper levels is caught.
Where the inflow of water is large, and the shafts are poorly equipped with
hoisting machinery, with crooked, rough tracks or skids, the problem of bailing
water, hoisting ore and waste, and carrying on development work — particularly
that of sinking in the shaft — becomes a serious one, and sometimes it necessitates
shutting down all work in the mine except that of sinking. Where this very
undesirable combination of conditions is found, steam pumps are the most satis-
factory, and it may be said that there is a growing tendency to the more extensive
employment of steam primps in mines of the I’acific coast. In many cases steam
pumps are found replacing the Cornish pumps.
12066—01 7
98
PKECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
THE COST OF MINING.
Another consideration is the cost of mining. This is^something which can never
arbitrarily be determined until the character of the mine has been demonstrated.
The width and length of the ore shoot must be known, and the character of the
walls ascertained. The probable quantity of water which will have to be handled
is always problematical, and, as a matter of course, the character of the walls and
vein material itself will determine the method and expense of timbering. It is
not uncommon to hear it said that in California mining and milling can be accom-
plished, under favorable conditions, for less than $1 per ton, but these conditions
so rarely obtain, even in California, as to scarcely be worth mentioning, for they
by no means constitute or illustrate the typical' features of California mining.
There are mines in slaty rocks not particularly hard, where the veins are 3 to 7
feet in width, which, being worked through tunnels and having free water power,
are operated at a very low cost, but even this class of mines does not represent the
majority, indeed, such constitutes a very small minority.
In the greater number of mines in this State, operations are conducted through
shafts, which necessarily increase the expense of mining. In the central gold belt
the mines vary so greatly in size, depth, character of ore and wall rocks, and quan-
tity of incoming water, that a statement of cost would convey but little informa-
tion and comparison would be valueless unless accompanied by a complete knowl-
edge of existing conditions and an itemized cost sheet. At a number of large
mines elaborate cost sheets are kept, and to a number of these the writer has been
given the freest access. The cost of mining in the larger mines, under ordinary
conditions, may be fairly represented by the cost sheet of the Wildman Company
at Sutter Creek, which has been kindly furnished by the superintendent, Mr. John
Robs, jr. ;
Detailed Average Cost of Mining One Ton of Ore for the Years 1896,
1897, AND 1898, AT THE Mahoney Mine of the Wildman Company.
Item.
Total cost
for 134,886
tons.
Cost per
ton.
Timbers..
$24,499.18
4,913.05
1,017.57
1,242.01
1,840. -59
4,386.75
780. 16
Cents.
18. 163
Spiling.
3.642
Lumber
.755
Charcoal
.92
Candles
1.365
Powder
3. 252
Fuse -
.578
Caps
186. 05
.138
Water.
7,538.00
1,338.42
1,224.24
1,417.27
3, 139. 48
775. 37
5. 589
Freight
.992
Iron
.908
Steel and steel rails
1.05
Hardware
2.328
Oil
.575
Grease and tar.
117.27
.087
Coal
229. 57
.170
Miscellaneous
3,241.69
2,346.90
667. 50
2.403
Powder -drill machinery
1.740
Surveying
.495
Cement
15.00
.011
Insurance
103. 77
.077
Taxes
737. 63
.547
Wire rope
636.28
.472
Office supplies .
97. 67
.072
Superintendence and labor
160,003.58
118. 621
Total
222, 495. 00
Kvi. 950
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
99
Detailed Average Cost of Milling 1 Ton of Ore for the Years 1896,
1897, AND 1898, AT the Mahoney Mill of the Wildman Company.
Item.
Total cost
for 134,901
tons.
Cost per
ton.
$2,310.00
2,078.63
441.97
Cents.
1.712
1.541
Screens
.3^
Quicksilver
870 14
.645
Hardware
1,199.05
10,699.60
1,064.00
162.00
.889
Water for power
7. 931
Freight *
.789
Cyanide potassium
.120
220.88
.164
Charcoal, iron, and steel
97.74
.073
Oil J 1
63.95
.047
Grease -
23. 13
.017
Lumber - - .. .
67.34
.0.50
Miscellaneous and coal
1,529.46
17.95
1.134
Timbers
.013
Assay supplies
,516. .59
.382
Office supplies
275. 73
.204
Expressage, bullion
391. 16
.290
Hauling and loading sulphurets
2,a54.65
281.50
1.746
Silver-plating plates
.208
Insurance
423. 14
.314
Taxes
701. 11
.520
Plates
86.49
.064
Superintendence and labor
16,791.58
12. 447
Total -
42,667.79
31. 628
' The above cost includes all repairs and equipment.
‘John Ross, Jr., Superintendent."
At the Kennedy mine, Jackson, Amador County, it may be stated, without par-
ticular reference to detail, that the cost of mining, milling, and all development
work, including the new vertical shaft and expense of conducting chlorination
works, is about $5 per ton.
This comparison is made merely for the purpose of showing that comparisons of
cost, without a complete knowledge of the conditions affecting such cost, are prac-
tically meaningless, and are unjust to the mine managers who are willing to fur-
nish such figures.
It should be remembered in the case of the Wildman Company’s sheet that it
includes the years 1896-1898, but does not include the years 1899-1900. Within
the past two years there has been a very material advance in the cost of many
mining supplies and in mining machinery.-
The mine cost- sheet would be affected particularly in the items of iron, steel,
steel rails, hardware, power-drill machinery, wire ropes, etc., and the mill sheet
would show a probable increase in cost of shoes, dies, screens, quicksilver, hard-
ware, iron, and steel. This increase in cost of tho items enumerated would raise
the cost of both mining and milling, and r»s a matter of course would affect all
other mines in proportion to the magnitude uc their operations. At those mines
treating the largest quantity of ore per stamp the milling cost would be lowest,
and at those mines hoisting the largest tonnage of ore to the number of men
employed the mining cost would be lowest.
Ordinarily, in the larger mines, the cost of timbering ranges from 30 cents to
50 cents per ton of ore extracted.
MINING machinery.
There is found in the gold belt a great diversity of mining machinery, from the
crude windlass to magnificent plants costing many thousands of dollars.
COLORADO.’
By James L. Hodges.
Assayer in charge^ United States mint, Denver, Colo.
The value of Colorado’s production for 1900 is as follows:
Gold (at $20.67 per fine ounce) $28, 869, 392
Silver (coining value, at $1.29 per ounce) 26, 998, 928
Lead (at $0.0414 per pound) 6, 788, 232
Copper (at $0. 156 per pound) 1, 543, 820
The increases over the preceding year are :
Gold $2,603,905
Lead 737,076
Tlie decreases are :
Silver $2,680,778
Copper. 431,698
A limited review' of operations in the more important counties is of
interest.
BOULDER COUNTY.
At the junction of the foothills and the plains, about 30 miles north-
west of Denver, lies the beautiful city of Boulder, the county seat of
this rich mining and agricultural county. On the north and wu^st are
located the many thriving gold and silver mining camps, on the south
and west large coal deposits are found, and to the south and east lies
a rich section, comprising 108,475 acres of agricultural and 100,872
acres of grazing land. The coal and mining land comprises about
6,555 acres, a grand total valuation of $6,298,854, by the assessor’s
rolls, which is less than one-third of the real value.
Boulder is reached by a branch of the Colorado Southern Railroad,
connecting with the Colorado and Northeastern Railroad, a narrow
gauge to Ward, and running through the most prosperous mining
camx)S of the county.
Several other mining camps, not reached by railroa d, have well-
equipped stage lines to Boulder.
MINING ACTIVITIES.
More activity than ever before is seen in the mining camps; a great
many leases have been made, and the development projected will,
without doubt, largely increase the output for next year. Most of the
ore is found between granite walls and is porphyritic in character.
Water is encountered at about 500 feet, large x)iimx>s being generally
employed in its disposition.
Steam is the power employed, though in some instances electricity
100
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
101
and water power exist. Plenty of coal is obtainable at a reasonable
price.
The milling facilities are very good, charges ranging from $5 to $10
per ton, according to character and value of ore.
There were no labor strikes during 1900. Wages of miners and
laborers range from $2.50 to $2.75 per day, and most of the mines are
worked the entire year.
WELL-KNOWN PRODUCERS.
Notably among the producers in this county are the B. M.,
Silent Friend, Chief Big Finger, Wellington Group, and tlie Morning
Star, at Ward.
At Camp Frances the Big Five has an extensive plant and is work-
ing high-grade ores. Its holdings extend more than a mile in length,
and include the Columbia, Niwot, and Dew Drop Odit properties.
Its mill has a capacity of 150 tons per day.
At Camp Talcott development is being vigorously pushed. Here
are many valuable claims and well-equipped mining plants; also a
large tunnel, in 1,000 feet.
Much activity is noticeable on Gold Hill. The Nugget Mill Com-
pany is steadily operating the Eagle to its capacity.
The old Slide mine is still a heavy producer.
At Sunset much development is seen.
Wall Street camp is among the liveliest in the county. The Wood
Mountain Company has enough available ore to keep running several
3’ears.
The Lucky Star is also yielding large returns.
Odu Wall Street tunnel is being pushed.
Tne Livingston and the Sphinx, at Sugar Loaf, are both good paj^-
ing mines.
At Sunnyside the Yukon Mining and Milling Company are taking
out $180 and $200 ore. ’
At Salina is located the Melvina, which is operating at large profit.
The Scotia, Ingram, Tambourine, Emancipation, and the Victoria
Boulder are all good properties.
At Crisman is located the Logan mine.
A recent strike has been made in the Yellow Pine, a silver mine.
THE ELDORA GROUP.
The Eldora camp is very lively. The most active and heaviest
shippers are the Revenge, the Mogul Tunnel, Enterprise, and Fourth
of July.
At Magnolia the Ben C. Lowell is producing high-grade ore.
The wheelman tunnel, 8 miles above Boulder, on Eldora road, is in
463 feet and has cut a number of good veins, carrying gold values of
$50 per ton.
At Sunshine, 7 miles from Boulder, up the Sunshine Canyon, pros-
perity is in evidence.
The Inter Ocean, Monongahela, White Crow, Osceola, Grand View,
and Nil Desperandum are good producing mines.
Revival is noticeable at Jim Town.
At Puzzler many claims will be worked in spring of 1901.
The Success M. & M. Company is at present working in good paying
ores.
102
PEECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
SAMPLERS AND MILLS.
Two public sampling works, the Chamberlain, of 78 tons capacity,
and the Kelton, 75 tons, are located at Boulder.
Following is a list of mills in the county :
Name.
District.
Character.
Daily
capacity.
liivingstone
Sugar Loaf
Cyanide
Tons.
20
Nellie Rly
Magnolia
Bromide
20
Coburu
do
Cyanide
30
Morell
Sunset
5 stamps
10
Free Coinage .
Gold Hill
.-do -
10
Orphan Boy
do
20 stamps
40
Wood Tunnel
do
10 stamps
20
Salina
do
do
20
Cash -
do
do
20
Gray Eagle
do
Electric belt
10
Prussian
do
Cyanide
20
Gale
do
3 stamps
50
I^rince Arthur
Muller
do
10 starhps
20
Ward
do
20
Humboldt -
do
do
18
Montgomery
do
do
18
San Bias
__.do
20
Dew Drop
- -- do
Jigs
100
Modoc
do
30 stamps
60
Boston
do
40 stamps
Madeline
do
50 stamps
100
Giles
do
10 stamps
25
Ruby
do
do
25
Binford
do
do
20
Utica
do
20 stamps
30
Pennsylvania
Boulder
50 stamps
200
Forest
do
10 stamps
20
Kilton
do
Chlorination
12
Delano
do
do
50
Culbertson
do
00 stam]>s
200
Midget
N ederland
30 stamps
50
Eldora
Eldora
Chlorination
50
Silent Friend
Ward
20 stamps
30
Amalgam Co
Sugar Loaf
Chlorination
30
Yukon
Sunnyside
Amalgamation and concentration
50
Gold Nugget
Glendale
do
25
Success
Puzzler
do
100
1
CHAFFEE COUNTY.
Chaifee County’s production for 1900 was not up to the expectations.
In the Monarch district the Madona mine, formerly a large shipper
of iron oxides and lead carbonates, made but a few shipments, coming
from lessees.
The Eclipse is idle, except for the work of several sets of lessees,
mining in the upper workings for overlooked product. Some desul-
tory prospecting has been done, but the ores are of low grade and carry
little or no gold values.
Near Salida the Sadalia mine has kept up work, its product being
copper ore, largely native, with veiy small values in gold and silver.
This mine is exceptional in that it is worked almost entirely for its
copper. Copper as a rule is a l)3"-])roduct in ores carrying gold, silver,
or lead values. The average value of the ore shipped ranges from 10
to 20 per cent copper, with about $1 in gold to the ton.
CHALK CREEK DISTRICT.
The most active work in this county is probably" to be found in the
Chalk Creek district. The Maiy Murphy mine, which has long been
a producer of good grade ore, is still firoducing, though under lease to
the Buena Vista Smelting and Refining Company.
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
103
The Pat Murphy mine, adjoining the Mary Murphy, is being worked
also under lease, and a good ore chute has been encountered.
Much prospecting has been done on the Black Hawk mine, supposed
to be on the Murphy vein, but no shipments have been made.
In Cottonwood district the work of the year has nearly all been
prospecting, as also in Four Mile district, which formerly produced
a good deal of gold ore, worked in stamp mills. Not one of the mills
is left.
GRANITE DISTRICT.
In the Granite district considerable work has been carried on, the
Belle of Granite being the steadiest producer. A number of lessees
are developing on old properties, notably on the Yankee Blade.
NOTABLE TUNNEL ENTERPRISE.
Perhaps the most extensive new work undertaken in the county is
the tunnel started during the latter part of the year by the Latchaw
Mining Company. Through Mount Princeton it will cut a number
of well-defined veins, which have yielded promising surface returns.
This company owns some 60 claims in one group on Mount Princeton,
which will be developed from this tunnel. Thus far the work has been
done entirely by hand, but an air compressor will be installed with
water as the motive power.
Some unimportant placer work by rockers has been carried on dur-
ing the summer season in the vicinity of Buena Vista.
THE SMELTING AND REFINING COMPANY.
The Buena Vista Smelting and Refining Company have a matting
furnace located on the outskirts of the town, apparentlj^ economically
and successfully run. It is treating a mixture of siliceous ores and
heavy iron sulphides from the Mike and Star mines of Leadville.
These latter ores carry from one-half to 4 per cent copper and assist very
materially in the values of the matter produced. This plant has also
worked the ore from the Sedalia mine. The Mary Murphy ore also
carries a little copper. The shaft of this furnace is 11 feet above the
tuyeres, and has the air bustle placed below the tuyeres instead of
above, as is usual. One of the features of this furnace is that the
same company controlling the electric lighting plant of the town of
Buena Vista uses its power, generated by water, to drive its blowers
and for elevating the ore charges for the furnace to the charging fioor,
giving a decided advantage in the matter of economy over steam.
The slag produced is quite acid, averaging 40 per cent silica, 24 per
cent iron, and 24 per cent lime, the balance being composed of alumina
and magnesia.
Considerable zinc is met with in the Leadville ores treated, which
at times gives trouble from forming accretions in the shaft of the
furnace. Much zinc sulphide also enters into the composition of the
matte.
The furnace runs with a cold blast and taps into a forehearth, as
is the universal method in furnace practice in the State, both for lead
and matte furnaces. The consumption of fuel to weight of ore treated
is from 8 to 10 per cent. It is the intention of the management to
erect two more furnaces of the same character.
104
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
CLEAR CREEK COUNTY.
Clear Creek County adjoins Gilpin on the east and is separated
from it by a chain of mountains, ending at the forks of Clear Creek,
where this stream, near the western boundary, divides into North,
Middle, and South forks. The South Fork runs through Clear Creek
County, its main tributary being Chicago Creek. The southeast part
of the county is drained by Bear Creek and tributaries.
Along the banks of Clear Creek, in Clear Creek Canyon, runs a
branch of the Colorado Southern Railway, touching the thriving
mining camjDs Forks Creek, Floyd Hill, Idaho Springs, Fall River,
Dumont, Lawson, Empire, Georgetown, and over the famous Looj) to
Silver Plume, reaching an elevation of 9,176 feet.
FIRST PAY PLACER BEDS.
The first pay placer beds in the State were discovered in this county
by George A. Jackson, near Idalio Springs district, in 1859.
In 1864 this portion of the county was deserted on the discoveiy of
rich veins of silver above Georgetown, whicli, uj) to 1890, was a busy
and prosperous camp. The fall in the i^rice of silver in later j’ears
resulted in i:)rospecting more for gold, and steady development dis-
closed rich veins containing gold and silver in the region of Idaho
Springs, FIojtI Hill, Dumont, Lawson, Empire, and Fall River.
The j^ear 1900 has witnessed more development than the previous
five years, and the success of the Lamartine and New House tunnels
has given mining in this county wonderful impetus.
Much Eastern money is being invested here.
GEOLOGICAL FORMATION.
The county, geologicall}^ is made up of the granite-gneiss complex,
and is traversed by a series of jiorphyritic dikes, trending from north-
east to northwest. Tlie veins are of the true fissure type, charged
witli sulphide ores carrying low values, which are easil}" milled at a
profit, charges being from 11.25 to $1.75 per ton. Also in these
fissures are discovered good smelting ores carrying high values.
There are 40 mills, or thereabouts, in this county, all operating to
capacity. The proposition of tunneling the mountains to reach the
lodes at greater depth has received much attention the past year.
NEW HOUSE TUNNEL.
The New House, the largest tunnel, is in Seaton Mountain, at Idaho
Springs, 10,000 feet, and is driving at tlie rate of 250 feet per montli.
Tlie opening is 12 by 12 feet, designed to cut in Quartz Hill, in
Gilpin County, its destination being the bottom of the shaft of the
California Mine, which is 2,240 feet deep. It will cut over 400 well-
known lodes. Ore bodies already cut are highly estimated.
The tunnel will be used for transiiortation and drainage purposes
and promises much towaid the future of Idaho Springs and the
promulgation of deej) mining in this county..
Other tunnels of prominence are the Lamartine, Wilcox, Foxhall,
Tropic, Maj^flower, Stanley, Mammoth, Star, Pennsylvania, Knicker-
bocker, and McClelland.
Several tunnels are in contemplation at Fall River, Yankee,
Dumont, Lawson, Empire, and Georgetown.
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES. 105
At the latter place conditions for driving long tunnels are excep-
tionally good.
Here is located the famous Atlantic and Pacific Tunnel, now
miles toward Grays Peak, whicli is to be worked again, designed for
railroad i^urposes as well as mining.
MINOR MENTION.
Tlie leasing on royalty system prevails in this county to a great
extent, though manj’' of the development properties are being bought
outright by Eastern capitalists and local corporations. Fifteen per
cent is the ruling rojmlty on leased mines.
Tlie mines are practically diy and free from gases. The power is
- water, steam, and electricit5^ The larger plants during the past year
have introduced gasoline engines, a distinct success.
Transportation to mills and railroad is by wagon, good roads being
the rule.
Few accidents were recorded during the year and labor troubles were
unknown.
Wages for laborers in mines are $2.25 to $2.75 jier daj^-, and for
engineers and timbernien $3 to $3.25 per day.
Regularly incorporated companies paid dividends during 1900 of
$090,000.
LIST OF SHIPPING MINES.
Following are the most prominent shipping mines in the county:
Larmartine, Luckj" Grouj), Donaldson, Little Albert, Monte Cristo,
Lone Tree, Great Eastern, Great Western, Brazil, Freeland Exten-
sion, Anchor Group, Harrisburgh, Senator, Blue Ridge, Shatter, Le
Roi, Mattie, Silver Age, Alpha, Galatea, French Flag, Seven-Forty,
Silver Queen, Grand View, Franklin, Amy C., Freighters’ Friend,
Washington, Veto, Lincoln, Fraction Gem and Gem Extension, Garden,
Sun and Moon, Lord Byron, Stanley, Astor, Silver Glance, Sunburst,
Hattie B., Mineral Chief, Mendota, The Doric, O. P., Alaska, Colo-
rado Central, Independence, Kokomo, Pioneer, Cunningham, Stevens,
Sunset Lode, Centennial, Hansbrough Tunnel, Dupuy-Raymond
Tunnel.
Many smaller mines are regular shippers.
GEORGETOWN AND IDAHO SPRINGS.
Georgetown, the county seat, is located 50 miles from Denver, at an
elevation of 8,476 feet, and has a population of 1,800.
Idaho Springs, the largest city in the county, is beautifully located,
37 miles from Denver, at an elevation of 7,543 feet, with a population
of 2,500.
The location of the principal mills. New House Tunnel, and larger
mines makes the city the center of business for the county.
Sampling Works.
Name.
Location.
Daily
capacity.
Dewey Urns
Georgetown
Tons.
120
W *1 GVin.mberla.in
do -
100
Do
Idaho Springs
100
OrA fl.nri Kfl.rrmlinp* ...
do
100
r^AnvAr ftmAltinp* and ftamnlinp" Oo . . .
do.
100
106
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
Mills.
Name.
Location.
Character.
Capacity
per day.
Mixsell
Idaho Springs
Amalgamation and concentration
Tons.
25
Anderson
do
do -
25
Newton.
do
do - -
40
Salisbury
do.
do
60
P*ioneer T
Yankee
do
10
Do
Dumont
do
75
Turner
Idaho Springs
do
25
Lombard
Yankee
do
a5
Specht
Dumont
do
20
Roberts- Jackson
Idaho Springs
do
100
Wilkie
do
Amalgamation
30
Allen..
do..
do -
100
Allan
Chicago Creek
do
20
Mattie
do
do
60
Humboldt
Ute Creek
. _.^do-_
10
Osborne
Fall River
do
10
Kittie Clyde
Idaho Springs
do
10
Roberts.
do
Concentration
100
Donaldson
do.
do -
60
Standard
do
do
60
Mayflower.
do
do
50
Silver Age
do
do 1
40
Golconda
.. , do
do -
40
Ohio Gulch
Dumont
do
30
Mansfield
do
do -
30
Lincoln
Idaho Springs
do -
30
Smith
do
do
30
Cumberland
Yankee
do -
30
Alice -
do
do
150
Stanley
Idaho Springs
do
50
CRIPPLE CREEK (TELLER COUNTY).
The results of the j^ear 1900 in the Cripple Creek districts were nota-
ble in the increased value of the output, des^iite several causes which
tended to restrict the production of ore. Chief among these was the
smelter strike of the preceding year, which caused the ore bins of the
mines to become glutted, resulting in the closing down of a number of
the mines in the latter part of the 3^ear. This was followed bj- tlie ina-
bility of the railroads to provide cars sufficient to move the accumu-
lated stock. When some of the larger properties found themselves
compelled to close down, the}" began to install larger plants of machin-
ery, which caused delays after the possibility of regular shipping was
again presented.
During the early part of the year another restriction in iwoduction
was brought about by difficulties between the mills and some of the
producers, regarding treatment charges. Tliis was especially appar-
ent in the month of Ajiril, when the production fell off neai*ly one
third. However, lower treatment and transportation charges have
enaliled the immense reserves of lower grade ore to be handled at a
profit.
FACTORS OF PROGRESS.
ddie progressive history of the district may be summed up under the
factors of consolidation of mining properties, railroad extension, and
new plants for ore treatment.
During the year a number of consolidations of small properties and
companies have been made and in several instances large producers
have consolidated their interests to settle long-existing legal conten-
tions. It is natural that in a district where occurs such a network
of veins and ore chutes every fraction of vacant ground should be
located, and as a result claims overlap in a most intricate manner,
PRECTOITS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
107
often cansinj^: interminable legal complications. Tlie experience of
the district lias been that even a high-grade gold mine is not equal
to the drain of a long drawn out legal contest, so that the tendency
is now to compromise by consolidation of interests.
Among the consolidations thus effected was an important one between
valuable Raven Hill properties, consisting of the former holdings of
the Elkton, Raven, and Tornado companies.
A second case is that of the Jack-Pot-Doctor consolidation. These
properties are also on Raven Hill, and during the early part of 1900
the lessees on the Doctor mine opened up one of the richest ore bodies
known in the district. The}’^ immediately became involved with the
Jack-Pot mine, the latter claiming the right to the ore body, and at
the same time the Nugget and other properties adjoining became
involved.
B}' order of the court a large area, including the most valuable por-
tion of the discovery, was tied up pending the proving of the course of
^he ore body. After months of negotiation the Jack-Pot-Doctor Con-
solidated Mining Company was incorporated, and now owns all of the
conflicting territory, consisting of about 70 acres. A number of other
consolidations are contemplated on Beacon Hill and Squaw Mountain.
CONSOLIDATION BY PURCHASE.
The consolidations effected through purchase during 1900 have sur-
passed anjThing in the history of Cripple Creek. Among these are
the large number of properties purchased by W. S. Stratton and
incorporated by him into a new company. The amount paid for these
holdings, as shown by the county records, is $3,500,000, and extends
on both sides of Poverty Gulch up to Globe and Iron Clad hills.
Perhaps no better index of the confidence in increased production
in a district exists than in the willingness of capitalists to invest in
new plants for treating the ores, in addition to a large increase in the
capacity of several of the older reduction works.
It has been demonstrated that unless conditions are exceptional it
is not economy to try to compete with the valley plants by treating
ores right at the camp, as cost of fuel and labor so largely favors the
valley.
The three original mills — the Chlorination at Gillette, the Brodie
Cyanide Mill on Cripple Creek, and the Chlorination Cyanide Mill in
Arequa Gulch — have closed down in the order named, so that now,
outside of sampling mills, the only plant for reduction of ore right at
the mines is the large cyanide mill of the Woods Investment Com-
panj^ located at Eclipse, on the west slope of Squaw Mountain.
Perhaps the first mill erected directly in the interest of anj^ one
mining syndicate to treat the ores of this district was the Metallic
Extraction Mill, at Cyanide, near Florence. This was built by the
owners of the Victor, Legal Tender, and Granite prox>erties, and has
been in operation for a number of years, periodically^ its capacity,
until now has been from 350 to 400 tons dail3^ Then followed
the Colorado-Philadelphia Chlorination Mill at Colorado City, which
has increased its capacity to 350 tons a day.
NEW MILLS OF THE YEAR.
But during 1900 the following mills have been completed and put
into operation : The Economic Extraction Company’s Mill of the Woods
Company, built to treat the ores from their properties, and the Union
108
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
Gold Extraction Company’s Mill at Florence, built b}’^ the S3mdicate
controlling the Vindicator, Golden Cycle, and Anaconda properties,
and erected to treat their own ores. The Economic Extraction Com-
jiany’s Mill is built at the mouth of the Columbine-Victor tunnel,
from which the various proi)erties of the Woods sjuidicate in the
vicinity of the tunnel will be tapped and the ore transported bj^ elec-
tric trolle}^ cars to the mills. This mill has a x^resent cai^acity of 350
tons a day and is to be enlarged.
The Union Gold Extraction Company’s plant at Florence was com-
Xheted during the earU part of December, 1900, with eveiy apxdiance
for the economical handling of ore from the time the cars enter the
mill for unloading. There is no handling of the ore after it enters the
mill, belt convej''ors and elevators doing all the work. The ore is
crushed to a 12-niesh size, dried and conveyed to six Pearce roasting
furnaces, each of 60 tons’ dailj^ cax)acity. The roasted ore is then car-
ried by screAv conveyors to a point where it is elevated to a circular
cooling floor, the roasted ore being continuous!}^ agitated and turned
over by automatic stirrers, when it is discharged and elevated to
storage bins read}^ for the barrels. There are three of these cooling
floors, one for each two furnaces. The gold is all precix>itated from
the solutions b}^ hjulrogen sulx3hide gas. The tailings are treated bj^
concentration on 20 Wilflej^ tables, 16 being used as roughing tables,
the x^i’oduct of which is finished on the other 4, the object being to
save the coarse gold which did not have time to dissolve during the
chlorination.
Another new mill located at Florence during the x^ast }"ear is the
Dorcas, for cjmniding. This mill has a capacit}^^ of from 115 to 130
tons a day, but is not quite finished, although treating some ore.
Among the older mills at Florence the National during the x>ast
year has enlarged its cax3aeit}’’ to 200 tons a daj^ from its former
capacity of 75 tons. This is a chlorination x>lant.
The El Paso Mill has been running constantty through the x^^ist
year, as has the Metallic Extraction Comxiany. The general ox^inion
among the mill men of this section is that the Crixixile Creek ore, with
depth, is averaging a higher percentage of sutyliur and that all the
ore received is showing less oxidation and that the gold is axq)earing
more in combination with tellurium.
NEW FLORENCE SMELTER.
The largest enterprise established at Florence during the j^ear is the
Rock}" Mountain Smelting Comx)any x)lant. This is built on an admi-
rable site for large extension. The furnaces thus far erected are two
in number, and are matting furnaces foi* concentrating the values of
the ore, using the iron and cox^x^er bases as a medium for recovering
the gold and silver values in the ore, instead of lead, as is the case of
the ordinary lead smelters in the State. The cax^acity of these
furnaces is very large, being estimated at 400 tons a day each. A
cross section at the tuyeres gives the unusual dimensions of 3 feet in
width by 15 feet in length. The management does not consider the
X)lant as belonging to the class known as “ ” smelters, although
the product is a matte and the ores are treated without roasting.
The furnace is unique, in that the slag x^roduced carries as high as 60
XJer cent silica with sometimes 14 x^er cent alumina and as high as 12
X)er cent of magnesia, which is derived from using delomnite in x^lace
of limestone in the charge.
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
109
The temperature attained is much higher than in the lead furnace,
approaching more nearly that required in the iron furnaces.
Despite the highly acid condition of the slag, it flows without any
difficulty. To produce such a temperature with a cold blast it seems
evident that a very large part of the sulphur charged into the furnace
must act as fuel in conjunction with the coke, and to that extent the
furnace is a pyritic smelter.
The entire plant is modern in labor-saving devices and built in the
most substantial manner. It is the intention of the management to
gradually add four more furnaces.
TO HANDLE PORTLAND ORES.
The Portland Gold Mining Company started during the year the
construction of a large reduction mill at Colorado City, to have a
capacity of 350 tons a day, intended to handle their own production.
Two other plants depending for ore on this district are the Colorado-
Philadelphia and the Standard mill, both chlorination, at Colorado
City. These are under one management, and each are capable of
handling from 350 to 400 tons of ore a da}L
FINE NEW PLANTS.
The heaviest hoisting, pumping, and compressor plants have prob-
ably been placed on the Gold Coin and Portland shafts. Aside from
these, the list seems to cover nearly all of the great shippers, Avhich are
now equipped with larger and heavier machinery than can probably
be found in any equal mining area in the United States.
The shaft house of the Gold Coin, which reminds one of an Eastern
cotton mill, with its equipment, cost the ^Voods syndicate in the neigh-
borhood of $250,000, the hoisting engine costing $30,000. The lifting
capacity is equal to a depth of 5,000 feet. Seven hundred and fifty
horsepower is required to operate the engines of this hoist, which
move the double-decked cages at a speed of 1,500 feet a minute.
The boilers provide 1,050 horsepower, and the compressors are prob-
ably the largest in the district, located in one building, having a
capacity to operate 30 large air drills simultaneously.
PORTLAND AND INDEPENDENCE.
The Portland Comjiany has been the greater jiart of the year equip-
ping its new No. 2 shaft, and had installed a large first-motion hoist
of a 20 by 48 cylinder. This has a duplex Corliss engine of especially
iieavy pattern. The flat rope is used in eacli of the shafts of this com-
pany. The maximum depth which can be reached by this hoist is 2,500
feet. An automatic stoking machine is in use at the boilers.
The Stratton’s Independence Company is also installing a very heavy
compressor and other machinery.
The Elkton shaft is also being equipped with a fine hoisting plant;
also adding a steel gallows frame, Avhich is a novelty in Colorado mining.
The old hoisting engine of the Elkton has been removed to the Hoosier
mine, on Tenderfoot Hill.
The .John A. Logan has a new hoist, and has been fitted Avith a large
compressor of sufficient capacity to furnish air for the American Eagle,
Orpha May, and other properties.
The Strong mine has replaced its old plant with a larger one, install-
ing the old plant at the El Paso, of the Gold King Company.
no
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
The Legal Tender, Princess Alice, Last Dollar, Ajax, Abe Lincoln,
Chicago and Cripple Creek tnnnel. Granite, Golconda, and a host of
smaller properties have added to or replaced their old machinery.
As a matter of interest, the Gold Exploration Tunnel Company,
operating in the Biish-Molfat tunnel, has added the first locomotive
engine which is actuated by compressed air in use in this district.
This engine is capable of hauling 15 loaded cars.
HEAVY DEVELOPMENT WORK.
The development work during the past year has been very great and
extends to all portions of the camp. Taking the older producers, all,
or nearly all, have kept development well ahead of their j)roduction;
so that in some, as in the great Portland mines and Gold Coin prop-
erties, the reserves of ore are simply immense. The output from the
Portland during the X)ast year is j)laced at 60,000 tons, with a value of
$3,250,000.
The Elkton has sunk its main shaft 371 feet; the drifts have been
extended 1,910 feet, and there has been accomplished 400 feet of
upraise.
The Mary McKinney has done a great deal of develoi3ment work
and has jiroved its ore chute for a distance of 2,600 feet, and in the
Ophelia tunnel, on Mary McKinney ground, the same ore bod}^ has
been encountered 300 feet farther north than had formerly been
opened.
Perhaps tlie most extensive jirospecting was begun d uring the latter
I^art of the year l)y Mr. W. S. Stratton in his now acquisition on Gold
and Globe hills. Mr. Stratton’s territoiy is divided into two groujis —
that located on Bull Hill and the portion on Gold, Globe, and Ironclad.
The x)oint for the sinking of what will be, when comxdeted, the
largest and probablj^ the deepest shaft in the district, is on the Lady
Stith claim, near the summit of Globe Hill. This is a three-conq^art-
ment shaft that requires 18-foot timbers, and the two cageways are
4 feet 10 inches by 4 feet 6 inches in the clear, with a large pipe and
man way. This is to be sunk with all i)ossiblo s})eed to a level with
the Chicago and Crij^ple Creek tunnel, a depth of over 1,000 feet, for
air, and then pushed down indefinitely, and from it an immense area
of ground will be prospected in all directions, the intention being to
establish the value of the known veins in this section at greater dex^th
than has yet been reached.
A fine two-story l)rick office has been built on the Plymouth Rock
proijerties, and a town of that name is contemxjlated.
The work on tlie Bull Hill groiq) is Avell under way. Large forces
have been worked on the John A. Logan, the old Union Coinxiany’s
properties, and the American Eagle.
The American Eagle shaft, noAV down 800 feet, will be sunk to a
level of the John A. Logan.
The Chicago and Crix^ple Creek tunnel is to be XR^slied on into tbe
Bull Hill territoiy, and laterals lain from it at intervals.
The woi’k of the United Mines Transxiortation Comxjany, controlled
by the Woods syndicate, has been of great importance. This is a
lateral from the Columbine -Victor tunnel, which has been driven
under Squaw Mountain, affording a connection beUveen the Gold
Coin, the May B., and the Economic Mill in Eclix^se Gulch. The dis-
tance from the Gold Coin to the Economic Mill is 3,700 feet.
The United Mines lateral, or Bull Hill lateral, as it is kiioAvn, is now
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
Ill
north of the Columbine -Victor tunnel a distance of 1,250 feet. It
lias been cut for a double track and is destined for a distance of over
3 miles, eventually to come out at the Cameron town site, owned by
the same syndicate. An electric trolley system will be installed in
this enterprise, which will materially lessen the cost of transporting
the ore mined.
A good deal of work has been done on the old Bush-Moffat tunnel
during the year. The tunnel has been pushed into Gold Hill, and a
great deal of exploration has been done in the way of opening up
veins which liave been cut in the work of driving the main tunnel.
Several companies are developing their veins from this tunnel level,
and a good deal of ore is being shipped from this outlet. This tunnel
is now controlled by the Cripple Creek Gold Exploration Company,
and the workings, including the main tunnel and laterals, have a dis-
tance of nearly 2^^ miles.
At the close of 1900 over twelve shafts on as many different proper-
ties have reached a depth of 1,000 feet or over.
NEW TERRITORY.
During the year there has not been very much evidence of a widen-
ing of the Cripple Creek ore-bearing area. A very few shipments of
fairl}^ good grade ore, during the latter part of the year, from Galena
Hill, at the northeast end of tlie district, and what might be considered
as a part of Tenderfoot Hill, has given impetus to prospecting in that
direction. Directly ojiposite, in the southwest portion of the district,
on Rosebud Hill, what seems to be a regular chute of ore of very high
grade has been opened on the Mary Nevin mine.
The Santa Rita mine, on Squaw Mountain, has apparently developed
a permanent ore body of excellent grade.
The Golconda, an adjoining property, has been worked by its owner
for six years, and during all this time the work has been simply pros-
pecting and searching for ore. Upon sinking their shaft to the 600-
foot level, the same ore chute which is being worked in the Santa Rita
was located, and this company has become a shipper.
At the close of the year a strike of great importance as bearing on
the future work of the Anaconda property was made at 850 feet below
the surface. The Anaconda tunnel driven into Gold Hill, at its base,
a distance of several thousand feet has never encountered ore bodies
of great permanence or value. From a lateral in this tunnel the new
ore body was cut, and apparentlj^ near the upper portion of the vein,
and while its dimensions are not as yet known the ore is of very excel-
lent grade, and, if it continues down, will have a very material influ-
ence regarding the ore deposits at depth in the future mining of this
section of the district.
THE NEW RAILWAY.
One of the most important enterprises during the year has been the
building of the roadbed into Cripjile Creek of the Colorado Springs
and Cripple Creek District Railway. The projected line between the
two points is approximately 45 miles in length, of which, at the begin-
ning of the year 1901, some 24 miles were in operation, and by the 1st
of April it is expected that regular service will be given. By the addi-
tion of this road to the two already in the district it will be possible to
relieve the glutted condition of the ore bins of the different mines.
112
PKECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
ELECTRIC POWER FROM CANYON CITY.
The Colorado Electric Power Company, of Canyon City, has been an
important factor. During the year it has furnished the power needed
by 70 different hoisting plants, ranging from 10 to 100 horsepower,
besides furnishing the power for several sampling mills and the light
for many mines. This company has introduced a system of renting
and installing electric hoists of from 5 horsepower up to lessees and
proprietors, which in the aggregate means an immense saving in out-
lay for initial cost of plant. The power is generated by steam and
the current conveyed over 28 miles to the district, where there are
three distributing stations — one on Bull Hill, which supplies Bull
Hill, Battle Mountain, and Raven Hill; the second supplying Gold
Hill over to Cameron and Anaconda, and the third furnishing the
power needed for Beacon Hill and surrounding territory. The power
is only paid for when used.
DOLORES COUNTY.
The formation of the mineral zones in this county differ greatly
from those of adjoining counties. In the Pioneer district the mines
are in a sedimentary formation occurring in a contact beDveen shale
and sandstone. The ores are principally sulphides, carrying gold,
silver, zinc, and copper. An attempt is being made to separate the
zinc and lead ores by a system of concentration.
Lack of capital and modern facilities for treating the ores are some
of the reasons why the mining districts of the county are not showing
the progress enjoyed by other counties in this section.
The ample supx)ly of water for milling and power purposes and a
combination of minerals and fluxes necessary for local smelting sug-
gest that the district is ’warranted in profitably treating the large
bodies of low-grade sulphide ores.
The mines are worked generally by tunnels, and no great depth has
been obtained on account of the nature of the veins.
THREE CONCENTRATING MILLS.
There are three concentrating mills with a capacity of 100 tons per
day, but they are not worked to full capacity.
Electric power is principally used in the mills and mines.
The leasing system prevails to some extent, with about 20 per cent
royalty ruling.
LEONE CONE DISTRICT.
In the Leone Cone district, embracing all that territory between the
Dolores and West Dolores creeks, or about four- fifths of the county,
the mineral resources are varied and valuable. Rich argentiferous
copper and lead ores have been found, but not extensively develoi:)ed.
There is but one stamp mill in this district, which has a daily capacity
of 10 tons, although it has been in operation but a small portion of
the year.
GILPIN COUNTY.
The “Kingdom of Gilpin ” is the smallest county in the State, lying
on the eastern slope of the Front Range, and is drained by the north
fork of Clear Creek and tributaries.
Although the entire county is mineral bearing, the producing area
rUEOIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES,
113
consists of about 40 square miles, known as the Sulpliide belt, values
being chiefly in gold, with some copper and silver.
The geological structure is granite. The veins are true fissures,
varying from 2 to 20 feet, carrying in most instances high values.
The ores are iron i)yrites, galena, and zinc blende.
The deepest shaft is 2,240 feet — the California mine.
Although most of the mining is lode, by shafts and tunnels, there
are a great many placer beds worked by hydraulic and sluicing
processes.
But little of this county has not been located on. The recorder’s
ollice shows 353 location certificates and 55 patents filed during 1900.
most of the locations being old ones, abandoned and relocated.
THE LEASING SYSTEM.
There is considerable leasing done by local and foreign capital,
royalties ranging from 15 to 30 per cent.
Very little inconvenience is experienced with water, although most
of the larger mines are equipped with pumping apjiaratus.
This coimtv is considered the best in the State for conservative
«/
mining. Wages range from 12.50 per day for miners to $3.25 per day
for engineers and high-class labor. Old claims with hardly any devel-
opment are constantly in demand for sale or lease.
Nearly all the mines are accessible to mills by good wagon roads;
also by the Gilpin Tramway Company, having switches to several of
the producing mines and a trackage of over 25 miles. The charge for
treating ore is about $2 per ton.
TONNAGE.
The tonnage from Black Hawk for 1900 records 3,174 cars, or 58,689
tons; shipments by wagon to Idaho Springs, 10,000 tons, making a
total of 68,689 tons. As near as can be ascertained, dividends of
$250,000 were paid by pools and close corporations, showing an
increase in this respect over 1899.
PRINCIPAL PRODUCERS.
The principal producing properties are as follows : Baltimore, Orphan
Girl Group, Comstock, Morning Star, Hope, Newport Eureka, Mid-
land Group, Comet, Golden Crown, Golden Gate Tunnel, Alice, Oro
Verde, Puritan, Lombard, Polaris, Enterprise, Chesapeake, Stonewall,
’94 Tunnel, Lee, Betsy B., Mayflower, Holland, Meteor, Ruby, Man-
hattan, Cumberland, Sierra Nevada, Surprise, Man- Wide- Awake,
Tiptop, Perigo, Beaver Creek Placer, Plateau, Scliulz Wonder, Gold
Dust, Victoria, Last Chance, Gettysburg, Independence, Gilpin, Yel-
low Jacket, Providence, Star, Populist Eclipse, The Fisk, American,
Cook O’Neil, Carr, Puzzle, Nehema, Chamung, Belmont, Running
Lode, Gregory, Bobtail, Bates, Hunter, Chicago-Carr, Horseshoe,
National Tunnel, Senator, Peck, Thomas, Next President, Kathryn,
Sleepy Hollow, Denmark, Buell Mountain City, Saratoga, Mabel Tun-
nel, Hampton, Powers, Kokomo, Gem, Crown Point and Virginia,
I. X. L., Old Town, Modoc, Ivanhoe, California, Good Luck, Glad-
stone, Concrete, Gunnell, Gold Collar, Annex, Galena, Corydon, Ada-
line Pierce, Brooklyn. Many others are now being worked and will
iirobably be numbered among the jiroducers next year.
12066— 01 8
114
PEEOIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
PRODUCTION SINCE 1859.
The value of precious metals produced from this county since 1859
reaches nearly $100,000,000.
The Newhouse Tunnel, commencing at Idaho Springs in adjoining
county, is now a realization and has passed the boundary line of Gil-
pin Count}" and is boring ahead. Good bodies of ore are being ojiened
up at from 2,000 to 2,200 feet.
The tunnel will drain the mines and be used for transportation of
ore and thus permit deeper mining. It crosscuts many of the best
properties in the county.
CENTRAL CITY AND BLACK HAWK.
Central City and Black Hawk are the principal cities, the first
named being the county seat, located 39yV uiiles from Denver and
reached by a branch of the Colorado Southern Railroad. This city
is built in the gulches and sidehills at an elevation of 8,500 feet and
has a population of 3,100.
Black Hawk, where most of the stamp mills and samplers of the
county are located, is a town of 1,600, lying nearly 1 mile south of
Central City, at an elevation of 8,000 feet. Here also is the shipping
point for the ores and concentrates.
During the past year some of the mills have changed from slow-
drop to rapid-drop stamps. The water supply during the winter
months has been low, compelling several of the mills to use steam as
a motive power.
GILPIN COUNTY MILLS.
The State Ore and Sampling Company has a big plant, at Black
Hawk. Following is a list of the mills in operation during 1900:
Name.
Location.
Character.
Capacity
per day.
Avon
Black Hawk
2.*! .si ow d rnp
Tons.
25
70
100
Fullerton
3:1 slow drop . .
Hidden Treasure
do
75 slow and 10 rapid drop
Meade
do
40 slow drop -
40
Polar star
do
do - .
40
Eagle -
do
35 rapid drop
75
Denver and Boston...
do
80 rapid drop
150
Gilpin
do
50 slow drop
50
Rocky Mountain
do
25 slow drop
50
New York
do
50 slow, 20 rapid .
100
Randolph
do
50 slow
50
Pennsylvania
do
35 slow, 10 rapid
60
Iron City..
do
25 rapid
75
Perigo
Perigo
35 rapid
75
Daisy
do
15 slow .. .
15
Peterson
Gilpin
do
15
Lombard
Yankee
do
15
GUNNISON COUNTY.
Mining in this county has shown greater activity than for many
years. There are many mining districts and in all more or less devel-
opment has been carried on, and in some of them a large amount of
ore mined. The i)rincipal districts are Tin Cui), Tomichi, Pitkin,
Quartz Creek, AVhite Pine, and Gold Brick. Pitkin, White Pine, and
Tin Cup have lead in operations. These districts in the past have
liroduced several million dollars in gold, silver, lead, zinc, and copper.
FKECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
115
At the northern end of the county the mineral lies mostly in lime-
stone formations. In the southern end there is a zone commonly
called the “ Gunnison Gold Belt.”
These .threat dikes are covered on top with a mass of conglomerate
rock of varying thickness. Underneath are found numerous smaller
dikes of schist, quartzite, and poiq)hyry, and in these high-grade gold
ore is found.
WHITE PINE DISTRICT.
In the White Pine district the mines have been unusually active, and
over 22,000 tons of sulphide ores have been treated at the Tomichi
Valley smelter, located in this district.
The North Star mine has the deepest shaft, being about 1,000 feet.
A large amount of development work has been done and about
10,000 tons of ore produced.
PITKIN DISTRICT.
In the Pitkin district the Colorado ]\I. & M. Company has inaugu-
rated work on a large scale. Prospecting work was done the past
year by the diamond drill and large ore bodies were encountered.
Deep shafts to reach the stratum which carries these values will be
sunk.
EIGHT MILLS.
There are eight mills in the county, in operation a greater portion
of the year, having a total capacity of about 380 tons per day.
The various stamp mills, concentrating, reduction, and smelting
plants in the county have treated vast quantities of low-grade ores,
and new ones are to be constructed to meet the demands for reducing
this class of ore.
HINSDALE COUNTY.
The mining operations in this county during the year have been
most gratifying. New and modern appliances have been added to
the mills, ana one new mill has been erected having a 40-ton capacity.
Several long tunnels have been driven to cut known ore bodies at a
great depth.
The Ute and May mine, the oldest lead property in the county, has
produced about 5,000 tons of concentrates, besides driving a crosscut
tunnel in about 1,400 feet to cut the vein.
The Golden Fleece mine has shipped about $100,000 worth of ore.
Tlie 60-ton stamp mill has been increased to 100 tons daily capacity,
and a tunnel has been driven 2,050 feet and has yet 1,100 to drive
before reaching the ore chute.
The veins are true fissures and ore is mostly a lead sulphide, carry-
ing gold, silver, and copper values.
Electric j^ower is principally used. The leasing system is largely
operated in this county, probably to a greater extent than any other
ill the southern portion of the State.
LAKE COUNTY.
The Leadville district in 1899 and 1900 was exceedingly active
after a period of depression, due to the low price of silver, very heavy
flows of water, and the lower grades of ore which had to be extracted
as deeper mining progressed.
116
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
With the exception of some new discoveries of oxidized ore on Car-
bonate Hill and the desultory extraction of small bodies left in the
old working’s of once prominent mines on Fryer Hill, the principal
production of carbonates and oxides is from the comparatively new
zone located east of the Ball Mountain fault, represented by the
Resurrection groui) and the workings in the western end of the field
by the Home, Midas, and other companies. Iron Hill should be
included in this class of production, although its tonnage of oxidized
ores is a variable quantity as the years pass. A very large part of the
year’s production of oxidized ores is due to the work of lessees, as the
lease system gains in favor each year. As the former immense bodies
of high grade carbonates gave out new conditions have presented
DEEP SHAFTS.
The past year’s work has especially illustrated this in the unique
system adoj)ted by the Leadville Pumping Association, which under-
took to unwater the great Down Town mining district. In the
Leadville Basin area it is demonstrated that the minimum depth of
shaft to reach the ore bodies now worked is 500 feet. In order to
reach the great sulphide masses of Carbonate and Iron hills, 1,000
feet is the minimum. The consensus of expert opinion is that the
maximum depth required to reach the white lime in the above areas
approximates 1,500 feet. In Upx)er Big Evans Gulch, along the north-
east trend of the Resurrection ore chutes, it has been established that
the ore horizon lies from 800 to 1,000 feet below the surface. The
sinking of these shafts and a large amount of XDrospecting by diamond
drills have i)roven that the ore measures of this district i)robably do
not extend to a greater depth than 1,600 feet from surface and that,
with the exception of the lines of faulting, the ore measures are, in
the main, continuous within and to a varying depth below the blue
limestome formation, at times, as in the Maid and Henrietta mines,
to the Silurian quartzite.
LEADVILLE PRODUCING AREA.
Tlie present producing area of the Leadville district reaches from
Iowa Gulch on the south to Evans Gulch on the north and from the
Carbonate fault on tlie west to Bald Mountain fault on the east, or an
irregular figure whicli will apxiroximate a width of 2^ miles by 4
miles long,
Tliis district has for convenience been divided into the silver-lead
belt extending from tlie Mike fault west to the Carbonate fault and
the gold belt lying between the Mike fault on the west and the Bald
Mountain fault on the east.
The main zone in the gold belt lies in the area included between
the Weston fault and Bald Mountain fault and takes in Breece Hill,
White Hill, and Printer Boy Hill, with such famous proiierties as the
Ibex, Lillian, and Antioch, which have for years jiroduced an ore pre-
dominating in gold values. In tlie Little Johnnie mine of the Ibex
Comjianies this gold has at times been x^henomenal.
GOLD BELT EXTENDING.
During the year 1900 develojunent has extended the area of the
gold belt to the northeast, crossing the Bald Mountain fault and giv-
ing some excellent iiroducing area on Little Ellen Hill. In the same
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
117
chute lies the famous Resurrection prot:>erties. The development on
Big Evans Gulch has opened up in this northeastern section very
large bodies of oxidized ore, giving liigh results in lead, silver, and
gold, although it has taken very much deeper workings to reach these
ore bodies than in the earlier workings on Carbonate and Iron liills.
With these deeper workings, larger plants for hoisting and pump-
ing have had to be installed.
MINE CONSOLIDATIONS.
The advancement in mining in the Leadville district during the
past year has been along the line of consolidation of old properties
into new companies with large capital. This has been espeeiallj’^
emphasized in the formation of home companies. The most striking
example is that incorporation known as The Home Mining Company.
This company secured a large territory within the city limits, worked
through the Penrose, Star, and Bon Air shafts. This area is made up
of a number of long-time leases, and is entirely in the Leadville basin.
During the miners’ strike of 1896 a portion of this ground was worked
by the owners of the Maid of Erin and Henrietta properties, but
owing to the continuance of the strike these gentlemen decided that as
the mine Avas filling rapidly with water they would take out their
pumps and abandon this ground. Two years ago the effort Avas made
to get a sufficient number of home people interested to furnish the
capital to uiiAvater this territory and prospect the ground for the great
ore chutes which Avere thought to continue from Carbonate Hill into
this ground.
It is the history of a long and desperate struggle with a heavy floAv
of Avater Avith insufficient pumping arrangements and of final triumph
in placing the Penrose and Bon Air shafts again in the list of pro-
ducers. The year 1900 brought this enterprise to the front rank as a
producer.
A GREAT FIND.
A great find occurred by one of those strange but often repeated
freaks in the histoiy of mining. The former oAvners had carried their
drifts in tAvo jilaces to A\ithin 12 feet of a bonanza chute, and the
present company, in sinking its Penrose shaft another hundred feet,
came into this immense ore bod}". In prospecting the old abandoned
drifts the same chute Avas encountered in the short distance men-
tioned above, and at the close of the year the ore blocked out is
estimated to have a value of $2,000,000.
Such wonderful success in rediscovering the old oxidized and car-
bonate zone in the basin underlying the city of Leadville has stimu-
lated companies owning or controlling surrounding property and
resulted in the formation of several new home companies, Avhich are
actively sinking shafts at different points within the city limits.
The line of development extends from the northern shaft on East
Ninth street to the Bon Air shaft on the edge of California Gulch,
and shows an almost continuous channel of ore.
AN IRON ZONE.
The great iron body seems to find its most extensive development
in the Coronado, Midas, and Penrose, near the head of Seventh, Fifth,
and Fourth streets, respectively. The iron was uncovered at 660 feet
118
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
in the Coronado during the last few months of 1900, and is undoubt-
edly an extension of the Midas eliute, which in turn is the northeast-
erly continuation of the Penrose chute.
The Midas is one of the most important of the down-town shippers.
During the past year its shipments have averaged 5,000 tons a month,
the ore being encountered at a depth of 515 feet, and has been devel-
oped 500 feet to the Penrose mine and 300 feet toward the Coronado.
The Penrose, of the Home Company, is producing dailj’^ 350 tons,
and the Bon Air and Star shafts, of the same companj^, 200 tons more.
MORE MINING IN THE HEART OF THE CITY.
Early in 1900 another enterprise was started, known as the Cloud
City Mining Company, which secured the mineral rights by purchase
from individual lot owners, paying at the rate of 1400 an acre. In
this way a compact area of about 35 acres has been secured in what
is known as the Stevens and Lei ter addition to the city of Leadville. A
shaft has been sunk in proximity to one of the shafts of the Home
Mining Company, and will, in all probabilit}", cut the Penrose ore
chute. Before the shaft had penetrated 100 feet an expenditure of
nearly 1200,000 had been made.
Two other enterprises on the same line were started during the
year, taking in some 18 acres in the southeastern part of the city.
THE PUMPING ASSOCIATION.
Perhaps the factor which entered most largel}' into the success of
the Home Mining Company and the other enterijrises of a similar
character was the Pumping Association, formed for the purpose of
unwatering the Leadville basin. This association includes nearly all
the leasing companies, as well as the owners of territory embraced in
the Leadville basin. All mines operating within the association ter-
ritoiy bear the cost of pumping in proportion to their output, based
on net smelter returns, less cost of hauling. By means of counters
on these luinips the amount pumped is computed in gallons and
charged to the association at the rate of 10 cents per 1,000 gallons.
Those mines which pump are credited with the amount of water they
have raised.
15,000,000 GALLONS EACH DAY.
Taking the entire district, investigation shows that the flow of
water which must be handled is not less tlian 15,000,000 gallons a day.
Comparing this amount of water with the average daily tonnage of
the district for the past }^ear, we find that 28.6 tons of water are raised
for every ton of ore raised. Careful estimates of the cost of pumping
have been compiled and show that it costs 4 cents to pump each ton of
water to the surface. Hence the cost of pumping referred to the ore
makes a charge of $1.14 per ton extracted. As the amount of ore
shipped during the past year was about 803,000 tons, the cost of
pumijing for the year amounted to over $915,000.
The total amounts of water is decreasing in tlie area affected as the
country is kept drained and other mines in that area start pumping
OK their own account. 'Jfiius in November, 1899, the association
pumped 68,018,592 gallons, while in November, 1900, the amount had
fallen to 48,622,546 gallons, a decrease of nearly 30 per cent.
PRECIOUS METALS IN TUE UNITED STATES.
iiy
MR. WARWICK’S CONCLUSION.
An extract from an article by Mr. A. W. Warwick, a mining and
mechanical engineer who has given a great deal of study to the sub-
ject of pumpiug in this district, will give data in a more tabulated
form regarding the efficiency and losses in the pumps in use in the
Leadville mines, witli an analysis of the work done by the pumping
plant at the Ibex Company’s mines, from a series of working tests
made by him at these mines. Referring to the district, he says:
It may he of interest to briefly consider the efficiency of the component parts of
the pumping plants and the cost of pumping. The pump makers have introduced
a method of describing the efficiency by stating the number of foot-pounds
developed by 1,000 pounds of dry steam at so much pressure. This is useless from
the miner’s jioint of view, inasmuch as he does not use dry steam. The point
that interests the mine owner is the amount of coal burned to pump so much
water. The conventional method of stating the efficiency of a mine pump is the
number of foot-pounds 'in water delivered by a pump when 100 pounds of coal are
burned under the boiler. But few dutj^ tests have been made of the Leadville
pumps, but it is reasonable that the efficiency of the various machines used on a
mine should be almost as carefully looked after as the assaying department, inas-
much as an inefficient machine will lose as much money in a year as may be lost
by occasionally throwing ore over the dump in the same time. However, enough
data have been collected to arrive at the average duty of the direct-acting steam
pumps of the district. Taking all pumps — sinkers, small and large station pumps,
etc. — the average duty will be not less than 15,000,000 foot-pounds per 100 pounds
of coal. The duty of an ordinary sinker will not exceed 9,000,000; a small com-
pound station pump not more than 17,000,000; a large compound station pump
from 35,000,000 to 40.000,000; a triple expansion pump, 48,000,000. The compound
condensing Jeansville pump at the Ibex has a duty of 45,000,000, which is exceed-
ingly good for a pump placed 2,000 feet from the boilers. The Wolfton triple
expansion has an approximate duty of 49,000,000. All these duties are expressed
in terms of foot-pounds per 100 pounds of coal used. Of late a unit much used is
the duty per 1,000,000 thermal units.
The mechanical efficiency of the very best pump is by no means high. In the
direct-acting compound condensing pump engines about 30 pounds of steam are
used per horsepower per hour, whereas a first-class compound condensing sta-
tionary engine uses only about 121 pounds of steam per horsepower per hour. All
the steam generated by these boilers, however, does not reach the pump engine.
Some of it is condensed in the pipe and some dissipates its energy in overcoming
friction in the steam machine. Finally, when the steam reaches the pump engine
it exerts only a fraction of its power in doing useful work.
THE LOSSES.
The losses may be stated as follows: In the steam line, 14 to 25 per cent; friction
of engine, 5 per cent; friction in pump, IT to 22 per cent; friction in water column
and suction, 54 to 10 per cent. In other words, the amount of coal actually doing
useful work is only from 40 to GO pounds out of 100, and this 40 to 60 pounds only
does the work of 18 to 25 pounds used in the first-class stationary engine.
The mechanical efficiency may be thus stated: 100 pounds of coal (such as is
used in this camp) will develop 772,000,000 foot-pounds if the energy is entirely
utilized. The best pump in the camp develops nearly 50,000,000 foot-pounds
100 pounds of coal used. The efficiency is therefore 64 per cent, or for every 100
pounds of coal burned, 64 pounds are utilized and 93^ pounds thrown away.
Estimates of costs of pumping are based in city work on a million gallons raised
1 foot, which is equivalent to a basis of 1,000 gallons raised 1,000 feet high.
THE PUMPING COST.
The cost in Leadville on this basis of 1,000 gallons raised 1,000 feet high may be
formulated as follows:
Cents.
Sinkers using 100 pounds steam per horsepower. 25 to 28
Sinkers using 150 pounds steam per horsepower 30 to 38
Small compound station pumps 15 to 20
Compound condensing station pumps 10 to 14
Triple expansion station pumps 71
120
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
These costs are estimates based on known coal consumption and labor used,
with estimates for proportion of cost of management, taxes, insurance, interest on
capital, etc.
LITTLE JOHNNIE TRIALS.
The following are the details of duty trials of pump at the Little Johnnie mine
of the Ibex Company. Barometric pressure, 19.5 inches.
Water figures. — Water delivered per twenty-four hours, 65,733 gallons, 1,130
feet high; water delivered per twenty-four hours, 1,252,390 gallons, 933 feet high.
Total foot-pounds of work done in lifting water, 10,258,000,000 in twenty -four
hours.
Steam figures:
Pressure at pumps pounds above atmosphere..
Temperature of feed water degrees F _ .
Water evaporated at boilers pounds per twenty-four hours..
Coal used (11 per cent ash) .do
Combustibles used do —
Evaporation from 143“ F. per pound of coal pounds water. .
Evaporation from 143° F. per pound of combustibles do —
Test of pipe line, 6 inches diameter: Pounds.
Total water evaporated per twenty-four hours 175, 446
Pounds.
Water condensed and caught in separation per twenty-four
hours.- 9,144
Water left in steam fed to pump engines (3 per cent) 4, 989
14, 133
77
143
0. 175446
23, 000
20, 670
7.6
8.4
Dry steam delivered to pump engines 161,313
Horsepower of pump and pump engines: Horsepower
Indicated horsepower from pump engine 261. 4
Pump horsepower 217.9
Loss due to friction and slippage
43.5
Duty of pump: Foot-pounds.
Per 1,000 pounds dry steam 64, 150, 000
Per 100 pounds coal 45, 000, 000
Per million British thermal units 37, 500, 000
Steam and coal consumption:
Steam used per indicated horsepower pounds per hour. 27. 9
Steam used per pump horsepower ..do ... 33. 4
Coal used per indicated horsepower do 3,6
Coal used per indicated pump horsepower do 4. 3
Details of pump. — Duplex tandem compound condensing with outside packed
plungers, made by Jeansville Company, size 15 by 28 by 71 by 38 inches.
Pipe line. — Protected by asbestus covering, which is in turn covered with sheet
iron, all joints of which are soldered.
Radiation surface of pipe, 2,050 square feet.
Water condensation per square foot per twenty-four hours, 6.89 pounds.
leadville's rejuvenation.
The mining industry in the Leadville district lias shown a great
advancement over tlie previous year, due in a large measure to recov-
ery from the smelter strike of 1898 and the extremely severe winters
of 1898 and 1899, but the increased output seems to have its real basis
in the opening up of new territory to the southwest and northeast.
The possibilities in both of these directions are very good. The
outlying districts have not changed materially, except that more
activity in prospecting has been noticeable in the Sugar Loaf district,
although no important strikes are reported from there.
The Arkansas Valley smelting plant, of the American Smelting and
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
121
Refining Company, lias expended some $375,000 in enlarging its fur-
naces and buildings, perhaps the most elaborate system of fume con-
densing chambers or fines in the countiy. Tliis plant has ten
furnaces, four of which have a capacity of 150 tons daily, and the bal-
ance are being changed to the same size. This will give this plant a
daily capacity of 1,500 tons, making it b}" far the largest lead smelt-
ing plant in the countiy. The improvements include also the addi-
tion of a large amount of trackage for the handling of increased
supplies of ore and fluxes and the using of large slag pots handled
entirely by animal power, light tracks running to each of the furnaces.
A NOVEL FLUE SYSTEM.
The construction of the system of flues is worthy of mention. The
framework of the flue is made of I-beams at regular intervals and the
uprights tied together by means of a metal lathing, or latticework.
The entire surface of this lattice flue, within and without, is covered
with a coating of Portland cement to a thickness of 2 or 3 inches. The
bottom is made V-shaped, with doors at intervals for cleaning out.
The flue has a partition, so that when cleaning out one side the entire
fumes may be sent through the other side. A cross section gives an
area of 256 square feet, or 25.6 square feet to each furnace.
Another improvement contemplated is to tap all lead bullion into
pots and allow the molten metal to cool sufiiciently for the copper
impurities in the bullion to rise to the surface of the pot, where it is
skimmed off as an impure copper crust, which will be charged back to
the furnaces to be formed into a copper matte in subsequent working.
The clean bullion will thus be taken to the merchant kettle room,
where it' will be run into pigs of bullion. The American Smelting
Company owns two other smelting plants in Leadville — the Union and
Bimetallic smelters. The Union has been put into thorough order.
NEW PYRITIC SMELTER.
In ISTovember, 1899, a pj^ritic smelter was started by the Boston and
Colorado Smelting Company, which has been running continuously
during the past year, except when increasing its plant. Starting with
one furnace, it now has three, each of which can handle 200 tons of
charge per day. The average percentage of fuel to the charge in these
furnaces is 6-|-. The fuel used is coke. The ore being charged as a raw
sulphide, the burning sulphur replaces the excess of fuel used in the
lead smelters. No roasting is required for the ores, as the product,
when obtained, is in iron or copper matte. Very low-grade ores are
treated in this smelter.
BISMUTH ORES.
As an interesting and comparatively new product from the Lead-
ville mines may be mentioned the bismuth ores on Breece Hill. This
ore seems to be a mixture of bismuth carbonate and oxide, or a bis-
muth ocher witli the carbonate predominating. The values of the
ore range from 2 to 40 jier cent bismuth and from one-half ounce to 70
ounces in gold to the ton, but of the amounts shipped the average
values are bismuth, 8 to 10 per cent, and gold, 1^ ounces to the ton.
The producing properties are the Ballard, Big Six, and Penn groups
of mines.
All the output of these properties in this class of product has been
122
PEECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
contracted for by an English metallurgical establishment for the next
two years, the gold being paid for at its full value and tlie bismuth at
the rate of 115.50 for each unit.
The shipments during 1900 from the above-mentioned mines were
as follows :
Tons.
Ballard... 140
Penn 70
Big Six 70
Total 280
THE MANGANESE PRODUCTION.
The manganese production of the district fell off during the year.
The principal amounts of this ore have come from Fryer, Carbonate,
and Rock hills, and seems to have formed a selvage to the large oxi-
dized iron bodies in those hills. As the requirements of the steel
works have called for an ore with a high percentage of manganese,
the reserves of this grade have gradually been exhausted. The orig-
inal requirements called for an ore of not less than 30 per cent, but
finally an ore of 20 per cent was accepted. The principal shippers of
manganese ore — the Catalxia-Crescent properties — shut down during
June, 1900.
SAFETY AND ECONOMY.
Possibly the Ibex Mining Company is the most progressive in the
district in providing safeguards and economies in mining. One of
the devices installed during the year is an electric signal, with stations
at each level. The sj^steni is simple and works admirably. Two
lead-covered insulated copper wires are connected with two incandes-
cent lamps at each station and in the hoisting room at surface; also
with an electric signal bell at the hoist. Each station is furnished
with a two-pole switch, and when the signal to hoist is given from
any level all the lamps on the line as well as the hoisting room flash
simultaneously and the bell rings at the hoist. Thus parties at any
level know just where the cage is going by the number of flashes used
in their signal code.
DATA AS TO EXPLOSIVES.
Most interesting data has been kept at this property regarding the
effect of explosives for the jieriod from May until T)econiber, 1900,
covering a total distance run in that time by hand and machine drill-
ing of 7,022 feet. The length of time taken and the distance run
gives a very excellent basis for comparisons and largely eliminates
accidental or abnormal conditions. The rock driven through was
porphyry, limestone, and grits, and the work advanced by hand
drilling, 2^-inch machine drills and 3-inch machine drills. Of the
total distance of 7,022 feet driven, 2,298 feet were by hand drills,
3,714 feet by 2^-incli drills, and 1,009^ feet by 3-inch drills.
The powder (dynamite) used was 30 per cent nitroglycerin for
hand drilling and 40 per cent nitroglycerin for tlie machine drills.
The average size of drifts, 7 feet 6 inches by 5 feet G inches outside
of timbers, or 41^ cubic feet of rock broken for every foot of advance.
The result of each method was as follows: Hand drilling, 1 pound
of 30 per cent dynamite broke 23.8 cubic feet rock; 2^-inch machine.
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
123
1 pound of 40 per cent dyiminite broke 7.5 cubic feet rock; 3-incli
machine, 1 pound of 40 per cent dynamite bi-oke 4.5 cubic feet rock.
AS TO HIGH EXPLOSIVES.
In considering the above results it may be well to mention that in
using higher power explosives the terrible quickness of the explosion
causes the energy produced to be largely expended in shattering the
rock in the immediate vicinity of the hole instead of breaking it in
large blocks. The larger the charge of powder used, within certain
limits, increased this condition at the expense of effective work.
As a result of these tests the management proposes to use a lower
grade of powder for the machine work. The tests also show that
machine work is wasteful in powder.
The details of cost per foot of drift by each method follow:
Items.
Hand
drilling.
2Uinch
machine.
3-inch
machine.
Powder used per foot pounds..
Cost of labor per foot
1.73
$3.16
$0. 216
$3,376
5.45
$1.86
$0. 737
$2,597
9.01
$3.99
$1,320
$5. 310
Cost of powder per foot
Labor and explosive per foot -
FINAL DEDUCTIONS.
These results show that: (1) Small 2^-inch machines break ground
cheaper than hand drilling, although the consumption of explosives
is three and one-half times that in hand drilling. (2) That drilling
with the usual 3-inch machine drill is more expensive than hand
drilling, but far quicker.
Where the cost of operation is so great, as in the deep mining at
Leadville, with the large amount of water to handle, the cost of pump-
ing averages 10 cents a minute, or $144 per day. Delay in running a
drift has to bear its proportional part of the $144 charged against it,
hence in the long run machine drilling is cheaper than hand drilling.
LEASING AND ROYALTIES.
The great bulk of the ore extracted in the Leadville district is done
through the leasing system, comparatively few owners of mines oper-
ating their own properties. The royalties paid are usually fixed on a
sliding scale, according to the value of the ore, from 10 per cent to 50
per cent of the net smelter returns. Perhaps there is no other mining-
district in the State where lessees are willing to expend such large
amounts of money in the installation of plants of machinery before
any ore is extracted. A ease in point is the “A. M. W.” lease, where
tlie leasing company has expended over $100,000 in surface, plant,
and pumps, in unwatering the mine, and enlarging the main working
shaft to suit the increased hoisting plant.
RAILWAY SPURS.
A most important factor in the economic working of the mines dur-
ing the year has been the extension of the different lines of railroad
by spurs and switches over the camp, so that nearly every mine of
importance is reached by a sidetrack. This means a saving of from
124
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
40 to GO cents a ton on all ore shixiped and an equal saving on coal
and mine supplies.
LEAD-ZINC ORES.
The lead-zinc ores of the district have received a good deal of atten-
tion, the effort being to separate by concentration the zinc and iron
from the lead, making a product which can be handled by the smelters,
and then sejiarating the iron sulphides as far as jiossible from the
zinc sulphides, a jiroduct suitable to the zinc smelters. As the zinc
product obtained has only found a market during the last two years,
it is a comparatively new industry, as heretofore the zinc jiaid a pen-
alty at the lead smelters.
The vast bodies of zinc-lead sulphides which exist in the lower
workings of carbonate and iron hills will ultimatelv be worked for
their zinc contents, as well as for the lead, but the jiresent outlook is
in the direction of treating this class of ores by some leaching iirocess,
which will extract the zinc and leave a residue which can be handled
profitably by the lead smelters.
VALUE OF ZINC-ORE SHIPMENTS.
The amount of zinc ore shipped during the jiast j’^ear, nearly one-
lialf going to smelting works in Europe, is estimated at about 111,000
tons, which brought about 110 per ton, or a valuation of 11,110,000.
LA PLATA COUNTY.
Wliile the La Plata district is not a new one, having been known
for more than twentj^ years, it is still in the prospective stage.
Aside from the tellurium veins little mining has been done, and not
one of these veins has been mined as fairly as the xiroduction war-
ranted, on account of the excessive royalties demanded. The outxmt
has been greatl}^ curtailed by litigation affecting the richer tellurium
Xiroperties, although nearly all of them have been xiatented.
From various avenues of information relative to x^roduction it must
be apparent that tlie aggregate for tlie year has fallen short of anj’
Xirevious year. This inaj^ be exxilained in x^ai’t by the fact tliat two
of the larger comxianies which liave acquired vast territory bj^ jiatent
have not oxierated during the year. Some work has been x)ei’formed
in the nature of investigation of ores and methods of treatment.
This county xiossesses a great variety of ores, but there exists cer-
tain general geological lines which simx)lify the situation foi* the
oxierator.
THE MANGOS SECTION.
More thorough, perhaxis, than in any other has Avork been per-
formed in tlie Mancos section toward determining the character and
values of the ores, and as a result a combination mill, emxdoying
cyanide, concentral ive, and X)yi‘itic smelting, wdll be erected. Inves-
tigation of the lower-gi'ade ore zones elsewhere in the district has
resulted in similar determinations as to treatment, and it is definitelj^
settled that the cyanide x^i’ocess is to x^l^iy imxiortant xiJD't in the
greater production of the district.
The Needles district is more active than ever before. The district
rRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
125
has two systems of veins, both very large. One is matting ore and
the other concentrating product.
The leasing system obtains to a limited extent.
MINERAL COUNTY.
The year’s production shows a decrease from tliat of the i)receding
one, yet it has been one of tlie most prosperous in the history of the
camp in tlie way of developments and the addition of new machinery
in all the large properties. The camp is traversed by three great veins.
Large ore bodies liave been opened up and blocked out for future
extraction. Tlie driving of tunnels iienetrating a great distance and
depth, for purposes of drainage and opening up of greater ore bodies,
has been successfully carried forward.
Deep mining has evidenced increased values, jiarticularly in gold.
Many mines heretofore idle on account of water have recently been
drained through these great drainage tunnels.
Most of the large producing mines are equijiped with fine electric
lioists and. tramways, capable of handling 2,000 or more tons XDer day.
The ores are mostly sulphides carrying silver, lead, zinc, and some
copper. There being no smelter here, the ore is all shipxied for
treatment.
THE NELSON TUNNEL.
The Nelson tunnel is the most important piece of development work
in the county, and the benefits which the mines in its course have
already derived by way of draining can not be overstated. The tun-
nel is making over 3,500 gallons of water per minute, and now drains
all the mines tributary to it. It is in a distance of over 9,000 feet.
In the early j^art of the year it had j)rogressed sufficiently to taj) the
Chance and Amethyst mines, which was successfully done with dia-
mond drills. As soon as the water was started it began washing a
great opening of a size to drain the two mines, which held between
400 and 500 feet of water, inside of two hours. The tunnel has now
reached the United mines ground, and from there will be driven to
the Park Regent, 3,000 feet distant, cutting the vein 1,600 feet from
the surface. In addition to driving the tunnel, a car tramway from
its mouth to the railroad switch, half a mile, has been constructed.
Electric motors will be put on to haul the cars of ore in and out of the
tunnel.
It is conceded that this great tunnel enterf^rise will do more to
develoj) the rich mineral resources of the great Bachelor Mountain
vein than all similar ventures in the district combined. •
THE COMMODORE.
The Commodore lias experienced an exceptional year in the way of
imiirovements. In level No. 5, which starts from the creek level at
the base of the mountain, the most gigantic improvements have been
made. Expensive machinery has been installed where the company
proposes sinking a shaft 1,000 feet. The excavating at this point
consists, first, of an engine room, 12 by 25 feet, in the side of the
tunnel; then south of this a wide drift was run 35 feet, at the end of
which a large room, or station, 40 by 25 feet and 40 feet high, was
excavated where the shaft is being sunk. This was started about 55
feet from the vein, and will be carried down on the same dip. The
126
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
reason for keeping near but off the vein is to obviate handling the
large volume of water that would be encountered if sunk on the vein.
The mine is supplied with large steam and electric plants, capable of
developing 5,000 horsepower. About 400 men are employed on the
mine.
OURAY COUNTY.
While there has been a falling off in tonnage of Ouray County
during 1900, the returns show increased value over any previous year.
New producers have come into prominence and the resumption of
work in old claims has been noticeable.
The principal districts in the county are Mount Sneffles and Red
Mountain.
MOUNT SNEFFLES DISTRICT.
In the Mount Sneffles district are some of the most noted mines in
the county. These are located in what is known as the Ouray gold
belt, in a i^articular zone extending for some miles tlirough the so-
called San Juan country. These mountains are crowned by a massive
formation of andesitic breccia of vaiying depth. This rests upon
upturned dikes of schist and quartzite, and the whole mass is traversed
by numerous dikes of porphyry. It is in these quartzite or porphy-
ritic dikes that the ore deposits are found. The ore is usually in the
form of a brown oxide and then i^asses down into a low-grade sul-
phide, although this is not without exception, as in the Camp Bird
group, thus giving a product of free-milling, concentrating, and
smelting ores. The veins are great fissures throughout the district,
and increase in value with depth.
FIVE CONCENTRATING PLANTS.
There are five concentrating mills in operation, having a daily
capacity of 650 tons; and upon the completion of the new pyritic
smelter, which has a cajiacity of 100 tons per day, the output will be
greatly increased, as it will handle the low-grade refractory ores of
the county.
RED MOUNTAIN DISTRICT.
In the Red Mountain district there has been a reopening of old
claims. The ores are principally sulphides. The proposed develop-
ments for the ensuing year will require the services of 8,000 miners
throughout the district. In this, as in the other districts, the values
in tfie ore, as far as developed, remain jiermanent.
SYNDICATE OPERATIONS.
Much of the activity shown in this county is due to the acquisition
by vsyndicates of immense acreage of mining property. They have
installed heavy plants witli all modern ajipiiances to prospect and
develop their claims, and satisfactory results have been obtained.
REVENUE TUNNEL.
The Revenue Tunnel Company is known to be one of the steadiest
producers in the district. It embraces nearly 30 miles of workings,
exceeding that of any other mine in the State. A depth of 3,000 feet
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
127
has been obtained, and fully establishes the continuity of the veins.
The ores are sulphides, carrying g’old, silver, and lead values, and are
/treated at the Revenue mill, which has a caiiacity of 100 tons per day.
The improvements to be found about this property are of the latest
kind, and everything is added that can be suggested for the successful
operation of the mine and mill. Electrical power is used throughout
the immense workings, and about GOO men are emxiloyed.
THE FAMOUS CAMP BIRD.
The famous Camii Bird mine continues its output of gold ore. Many
improvements have been made, at a cost of $250,000. Besides increas-
ing the capacity of tJie mill to 300 tons per day, there has been added
a new cyanide plant, having a daily caiiacity of 200 tons, to handle
the low-grade ore and the tailings from the amalgamating plates,
embodying all the fundamental principles carefully worked out in
every detail.
The ore, in coming from the mine, passes through a rock breaker
and is then sent on the tram to the mill, 2 miles below, Avliere it is
received in ore bins having a capacitj’' of 2,000 tons. From the stor-
age bins it is passed over shaking screens, the fine going directly into
the elevator and the coarse through the first set of rolls, then elevated
to a set of revolving screens. There are two sets of these screens, so
that if anything goes wrong with one the other can be immediately
X)ut into use.
From the screen the ore passes to a set of jigs which automatically
separate the minerals from the gangue. All the gangue and tailings
from the various jigs are gathered and the water separated from them,
when the material passes to a third ^et of rolls for finer grinding.
From these rolls the finely crushed material passes through hydraulic
sizers, which classify the ore; then to the Wilfiey tables, separating
again the mineral from the gangue, and the latter is passed through
another set of rolls, reducing it still finer, and this, in turn, over addi-
tional tables.
AMALGAMATING PLATES.
From the batteries the ore is passed over amalgamating plates, which
separate and save the principal values. The residue and slimes are
then conveyed into six large cjmnide tanks of 600 tons capacity each.
When the tanks are full the product is treated with solution for six
days. The entire process is as automatic as possible from the time
the ore enters the mill until discharged from the cyanide tanks.
A MODEL MILL.
The mill is in every respect modern, complete, and convenient.
Different portions of the mill will be operated from djmamos so placed
as to economize in the shafting and belting. The mill is located at
the confiuence of the Imogene and Sneffles Creek, at a place called
Potosi, about 6 miles from Ouray. The motive power is electricity,
derived mostly from the Telluride Transmission Company’s plant at
Ames, some 18 miles distant. There are 260 men employed.
MELDRUM TUNNEL.
The early resumption of the Meldrum tunnel will materially add
to the output. This enterprise was started two years ago. It will cut
128
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
through the inuiii range and open up a better means of transportation
for the great producing mines in what is called the San Juan country.
The bore will be 4 miles long and large enough to allow the passage
of a narrow-gauge train.
PITKIN COUNTY.
During the year 1900 the mining interests of Pitkin County have
not advanced in a very marked degree. Very little development work
or prospecting for new bodies of ore has been undertaken, and tlie
work, with the exception of one large company, was generally carried
on by lessees. Under the leasing system very little development is
done in this district, the operator electing to prospect old workings
and extract scattered ore left by former management.
Another and more serious drawback to active work in the Aspen
district is the fact that the high-grade dei30sits of silver, which were
phenomenal in the early days of the camp, have gradually disaj)peared
with deeper workings, until the present ores are uniformly of low
grade, and, unless the operator can afford to erect a concentrator,
where the ore will allow it, he is forced to confine his attention to
those grades which can still, by careful sorting, be converted into a
shipping product. Very few of the districts of the State have suf-
fered to the same extent from the decline in silver as the Aspen
district, as its product was and is so largely a silver ore with no
associated gold.
THE PRODUCING AREA.
The producing properties are confined almost exclusively to the
mines on Aspen and Smuggler mountains, which contain the great
ore-bearing contact between the blue and brown limestones with its
numerous fault lines that are frequently mineralized. During the
more prosperous days of the camp several long tunnel enterprises
were organized, and tunnels driven to the contact at different points
on both mountains. Of late years these tunnels have been the outlets
for the product of nearly all the large properties, effecting material
saving in hoisting of ore and in unwatering a great scope of territory
which could not possibly be worked at a profit with the lower grade
of ore if the expense of maintaining large pumping and hoisting
plants had to be included in the cost of mining.
VARIABLE ORE CHUTES.
While it has been settled beyond question that the same great con-
tact extends across the two mountains and entirely under tlie town of
Aspen, yet the values are distributed in well-defined ore chutes, or
deposits, and almost all of these chutes vary in character. In one
the value will be found associated almost entirely as the baryto, or
heavy spar, with the lime. In another the baryto will have a varying
Xiercentage of lead in the form of sulphide, often sufficient to be prof-
itably treated by concentration. Other ore bodies have a very good
grade of lead, frequently reaching as high as 30 per cent as it is mined.
In instances like the last mentioned the lead becomes the valuable
metal, as it generally brings from two to three times as much money
value as the silver contents contained. In still other ore bodies a very
large percentage of zinc is met, frequently carrying as much as 40 per
cent, but as it is in every case very finely disseminated and associated
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
129
with iron, from which it seems tliiis far almost impossible to effect a per-
fect mechanical separation, the zinc is a detriment, and wliere treated
in connection with the lead ores is allowed to go to waste or is
impounded in storage ponds in the hope that the time may come when
it can be handled commercially.
Aspen Mountain contains a great group of formerly famous produ-
cers, such as the Durant, Argentum- Juniata, Aspen, Emma, Vallejo,
Spar, Enterprise, Bonny Belle, and others. These are worked through
the Durant tunnel, the Veteran tunnel, and the Castle Creek tunnel.
SMUGGLER MOUNTAIN.
On Smuggler Mountain the Cowenhoven tunnel taps the workings
of the Della I, Bushwacker, Mineral Farm, Regent, and Homestead
mines. While run in from as low a point on Smuggler Mountain as
was convenient still, in the case of the Regent, the tunnel cuts this
property above the workings of the mine, and a winze has been sunk
from the tunnel level to the ore bodies on the contact and a station
cut which is furnished with an electric-hoisting plant and all ore
raised to the level of the tunnel. The reverse of this is the case with
a very large number of the properties cut on both mountains, the
tunnels coming under the workings and upraises being made to the
ore bodies, through which the ore is lowered to the tunnel level below.
In addition to the properties mentioned above, on Smuggler Moun-
tain are the Mollie Gibson and Smuggler mines, both of which handle
their ore through their own shafts.
The Mollie Gibson lying on one side of the town of Aspen, and the
Argentum-Juniataon the other, on different mountains, with the large
stream of the Roaring Fork between, are still connected by under-
ground workings, which have been pushed on the line of the line
contact, conclusively showing that the contact extends entirely under
the town. These mines are connected by an underground electric
railway.
DEEP WORKINGS.
The deepest workings in this district are in the Gibson, which has
a shaft 1,200 feet in depth, but has been flooded for several years
past. In order to keep the working levels dry, the Mollie Gibson has
a very fine pump of the Snow pattern, triple exxiansion, duplex, con-
densing, and steam jacketed, which pumps 1,800 gallons a minute,
raising the water 1,000 feet to surface. This also drains the Argentum-
Juniata.
CONCENTRATING MILLS.
A number of concentrating mills have been built, several of which
are on the Roaring Fork, right at the town. Perhaps the best example
of the work done is at the two Smuggler mills, the old mill having a
capacity of 150 tons in a day of ten hours, and the new mill, on the
opposite side of the creek, 125 tons. Neither of these mills work a
night shift.
The Smuggler ore consists of a limestone carrying from 4 to 5 per
cent galena, 10 to 15 per cent zinc carbonate, and an uncertain per-
centage of barium sulphate, with a small amount of silica, and about
4 to 6 ounces of silver per ton. At the old mill the ore is delivered
in the upper jiart, where it is passed through a jaw crusher and rolls,
12066—01 9
130
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
and sized by means of revolving screens, the different sizes passing
to a number of Hartz jigs made in Germany specially for this mill.
The middlings from the jigs are all conveyed to Bradley pulverizers
and ground so that the coarsest material passes through a 60-mesh
screen. From these pulverizers the pulp is run to a series of large
V-shaped classifiers, from which the different sizes are taken to Hal-
lett concentrating tables, which are simply modifications of the Wil-
fley table, and there the ore, practically in the condition of slimes, is
very successfully separated into a galena and baryto sulphate as the
headings, while the zinc carbonate with the iron are saved as mid-
dlings for future treatment, and the lime with some zinc and silica
rejected as waste.
SMUGGLER NEW MILL.
At the Smuggler new mill the same separations are made, but only
the Hallett tables are used. The ore being crushed to the size of
grains of corn, is pulverized in Bradley mills, so that the coarsest will
pass through a 60-mesh screen. These Bradley mills are modifications
of Chilean mills, but on the Smuggler ore, which pulverizes very readily,
their capacity is 60 tons a day for each machine.
THE HALLETT TABLE.
The Hallett table used in these mills is the invention of Mr. S. I.
Hallett, who is the general manager of the Smuggler jiroperties, and
has been modified until, to all intents, it is simply a Wilfiey table
with the riffles set diagonally on the tables instead of longitudinally.
The driving mechanism is the old quick-return movement formerly
used on the King-Darrah table, the jiatent for which is now controlled
by the Hallett Comiiany. It is claimed for this table tliat the values
being carried up to its cleaning side, the entire length, less wash
water is required and, consequently, less dilution of the pulp is made
on the table and less fine values are carried over into the tailings
trough. The concentrates are carried off about midway on the end
of the table instead of at the upper corner-side, as in tlie Wilfiey.
At the new mill of the Smuggler Comiiany two sets of tables are
used, one set following' the other, the second set treating the mid-
dlings from the upper or first set. The middlings from the four of the
first tables are treated on one table in the second set. The barium
sulphate in this ore contains so much silver that no attempt is made
to keep tlie galena and heavy si)ar separate, although the smelters
charge quite a heavy penalty for over 5 i^er cent.
The Mollie Gibson has a mill in which practically the same opera-
tions are carried on except that Frue Vanners are used in x^lace of the
Hallett tables. The ores callable of concentration from the Mollie
Gibson and Argentum- Juniata are worked conjointly in this mill.
TEST MILL FOR DELLA S. ORE.
Another mill, farther up tlie Roaring Fork, which was remodeled
from a lixiviation plant into a concentration mill, is now being used
as a test mill on tlie Della S. ore. The ore here is pulverized by
stamps so as to pass a 40-mesh screen, and the pulp then sized by an
upward current of water against a descending stream of pulp. The
heavier sizes are conveyed to Wilfiey tables and the slimes to V-shaped
boxes, where the settled pulp is treated on Frue Vanners. A claim
rRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
131
is made that the combination of these two systems — the Wilfley table
for the coarse sand and the Friie Vanner for tlie slimes — effect a saving
of 70 per cent of the values.
TWO SAMPLERS.
Two sampling works are kept busy in the town and handle practi-
cally all the ore mined before it is sent to the smelter. All the mills,
including the sampling works, are run by electric power generated by
the Castle Creek Power Company, which also furnishes the illumina-
tion for the town. A large quantity of limestone was furnished dur-
ing the early part of the year to the smelters, which paid for the lime
and also for the silver contents, which, while low, returned a i)rofit.
This was made possible as the limestone was shipped from the old
dumps without sorting.
ECONOMIC IMPROVEMENTS.
The only economic improvements during the past year in the camp
is the extending of a railroad spur up Castle Creek to the Castle Creek
tunnel and a branch up the side of Aspen Mountain for a short dis-
tance, which will reduce the cost of hauling and tramming ores.
The outlying districts have been practically idle during the year,
and the Independence district, of which much was hoped as a gold-
producing section, has not realized the expectations of its supporters.
SAGUACHE COUNTY.
This county is divided into three mining districts. In the Bonanza
district, located in the northern part of the county, a revival of
industry is exhibited. The veins are large, carrying low-grade values
in gold, silver, zinc, lead, and copper. *
During the year two concentrating mills, each having a capacity of
50 tons per day, have been erected and successfully operated. The
two drawbacks to the rapid advancement of the district are lack of
capital and railway facilities.
CRESTONE DISTRICT.
In the southeastern part of the county is located the Crestone min-
ing district. The old Baca grant, in litigation for a quarter of a cen-
tury, has passed to a wealthy syndicate, which immediately pre^iared
to develoj) its mineral resources.
A large stamp mill was constructed and equipped with the latest
appliances. Its daily capacity is 300 tons, but only 50 are now being
treated. The formation of the district is gneiss, schist, and granite.
The ore bodies are large, and as depth is obtained the character
clianges from free-milling to a sulphide carrying considerable copper.
Other mills are contemplated, and a railroad is now being constructed
into the district.
EMBARGO DISTRICT.
In the Embargo district, in the southwestern part of the county,
considerable work has been done on old claims. The ores are heavy
in iron sulphides and suitable for treatment at the matting smelter
that will be erected the coming year.
132
PEECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
SAN JUAN COUNTY,
The mining industry of tliis county shows a steady increase over
previous years. Many improvements have been inaugurated, discov-
eries made, and new enterprises launched. The trend seems to be in
consolidation of individual interests, and this is making a wonderful
change in the development of the district. Experience has demon-
strated that the only way to work the low-grade mines is with large
areas and aggregation of capital.
FISSURE VEINS.
The mines are what are generally termed “fissures,” varying from 1
to 100 feet in width, and can be traced for several miles. The mines
are nearly all equi^iped with reduction mills, tramways, electric and
compressed-air drills.
The county is divided into three mining districts, namely, the
Animas, Eureka, and Red Mountain, ranking in production in the
order named. The ores are all heavy sulpliides, carrying values in
gold, silver, lead, and copper, embodying for treatment both concen-
tration and pyritic smelting.
In concentrating it is the usual custom to put four tons into one,
giving an average value of $18 per ton. The values through the
county are gradually increasing as depth is attained, sulphide ore pre-
dominating. No considerable leasing obtains in the county.
There are in active operation 12 concentrating mills, having a total
capacity of 1,190 tons per day, besides that of the pyritic smelter.
The average number of men employed in the mines and mills is
estimated at 1,600.
NEW PYRITIC SMELTER.
One of the most valuable improvements inaugurated is the Kend-
rick-Gilder pyritic smelter. This will enable quite a number of
mines to ship ore that has heretofore been of too low a grade for
profits. A great saving has been made in the cost of treatment by
installing the Bretherton hot-blast matte settling attachment, which
has already proved its value by reducing the amount of coke and lime
used about 50 to 60 per cent, making a much cleaner matte and slag
than is iiossible by the old process, as, by using less coke, more sul-
phur is consumed, allowing the liberated iron to enter the slag as a
ftux. The blast is jiassed on its way to the blast furr.ace from an
ordinary blower through a largo rectangular steel l)ox filled with tubes
placed over the immense slag receiver and matte settling iron box,
which is kept in a liquid condition by being inclosed and a few pieces
of charcoal thrown on the top of it. It is the radiated heat from this
settler which heats the blast up to about 400 degrees. By this system
of treatment the low values of copper contained in most of the ores
are saved which, under the ordinary wet concentration methods,
were lost.
SILVER LAKE MINES,
The Silver Lake mines comprise jirobably the largest group of claims
in the State, covering an area of more than 1,200 acres, the output
averaging about 200 tons per day.
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
133
The tmmwa}’ from these mines to tiie mill has I’ecently been recon-
structed, spanning 6,000 feet.
A new and commodious boarding house, capable of accommodating
300 people, has been erected during the year.
Tlie owners of this immense property were the first in this State to
use electric drills in their mines, thereby greatly reducing tlie cost of
development. A 250-horsepower Westinghouse engine luis been
recently installed. It will supply the power for tlie mill, tlie 1,600-
light dynamos, and the 80-horsepower Rand air compressor, by which
the machine drills are driven, and transmit the light and power to
other properties of this company, 2 miles distant.
A long tunnel is being driven 6,500 feet to intersect the Gold King
claim at a depth of 2,000 feet below the surface.
THE SUNNYSIDE.
The Sunnyside mine has worked a greatly increased force. It has
two mills in active operation, but owing to scarcity of water the upper
one was not run continuously. Their combined ca^iacity is 150 tons
per day. The wire tramway connecting mines and mill has a daily
carrying capacity of 100 tons.
GOLD KING.
The Gold King Consolidated Mines Company have greatly increased
their milling capacit}^ and are now able to handle 400 tons per day.
They have expended during the year about $100,000 in improving
the mill and building a new tramway. The mines have immense
bodies of free-milling ore. The veins are fissure, and the main vein
of the Gold King is, in the present workings, about 48 feet wide and
can be traced for over 2 miles.
The present output is about 250 tons per day. A tunnel 8 by 8
feet is being run from the mill to the mines, which will be, when com-
pleted, 1,700 feet long, and through which all ores will be transferred
directly to the mill.
SAN MIGUEL COUNTY.
While the valuation of the year’s output will hardl}’^ exceed that of
1899, yet the mining industry in this county has witnessed material
advancement. The failure to increase production can be attributed
to several good incidents, among them being that of litigation inter-
fering with many producers, while in others considerable time has
been given to development and enlargement of treatment capacity.
The larger properties have added to their ore reserves and the smaller
have been steadily forging to .the front.
There is a great variety of mineral formation in the district. While
the general formation is true fissure veins, yet tliere are large bodies
of ore found in contacts and blow-outs.
OPHIR DISTRICT.
In the Ophir mining district, situated on either side of the San
Miguel River, the formation is as nearly perfect as can be found any-
where. Tlie veins run up the hill and are so located that by running
long tunnels thereon great depth is gained. The ore streaks vary in
134
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
width, but the values seem quite uniform. Development shows that
by depth the veins are strong and continuous. The surface croj)pings
of the veins are usually rich in gold quartz; hence the name adopted
for the district by the pioneers was “Ophir,” meaning the land of
gold.
The Globe-Suffolk Mining Company’s property is one of the most
extensively developed and perhaps the best equipped in the district,
but owing to litigation it has not produced largely. It has installed a
new 40-stamp mill with the latest improved amalgamating ajipliances
and two Frue vanners for concentration.
BUTTERFLY-TERRIBLE GROUP.
The Butterfly-Terrible group has made rapid strides during the
year. It is an old property which was worked in a desultory manner,
but under new ownership and management development work has
been actively carried forward. A new 30-stamp mill has been recently
erected, containing Frue vanners and concentrating aiiiiliances of
latest designs.
A tramway has been built connecting the mines and mill. The
veins extend into the mountain, so that as drifts are extended depth
is rapidly gained. The main opening is a tunnel on the Butterfly
vein, which lias reached a depth of 2, 500 feet. The ore bodies are large
and continuous, sulphide in nature, and carrying values in gold, silver,
and lead.
TOM BOY.
The Tom Boy Gold Mines Company has accomplished about 4,000
feet of development during the year. The shaft is equipped with a
double drum-hoisting plant capable of hoisting 500 tons per day. The
machinery is driven by compressed air and electric iiower, supjilied
by Telluride Power Transmission Company.
The mill, with a capacity of 200 tons per day, is situated at the mouth
of the tunnel on the 600-foot level. The ore as it comes from the mine
is dumped into the bins, passing thence through three crushers and
two sets of rolls. From here it passes througli automatic feeders into
eight Huntington mills, thence to tlie amalgamating xilates. From
the plates the pulp is treated by Frue vanners, any values remain-
ing being concentrated in this process. The ore is x>ractically free-
milling, and the mine produced the past year 73,741 tons.
THE LIBERTY BELL.
The Liberty Bell Gold Mining Companj^ has put into operation a
milling process of cyaniding the ore that is unlike any other process
now in operation in the State. The cyanide process is what is known
as the Soutli African method of direct treatment. As the ore leaves
the mine it is fed into the crushers and then loaded into the tramway
buckets automatically and conveyed to the mill, some 2 miles away.
It is transported at a cost of about 20 cents per ton.
THE MILLING.
At the mill the ore is discharged into bins, and from here into auto-
matic feeders to the batteries. From the batteries the ore passes over
amalgamating plates by the ordinary stamp-mill process, and then to
the Wilfley concentrating tables. From the concentrators the tailings
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
135
pass into tlie cyaniding department. Tliis metliod is designed to save
the refractory values that usually escape. Tlie tailings fi-oni tlie Wil-
fley tables are received into tanks 33 feet in diameter and 8 feet deep,
with a capacity of 300 tons.
AN INGENIOUS DEVICE.
They are deposited in the tank through an ingenious device made
up of a series of pipes of vaiying lengths turned at the end so that
the force of the discharge revolves the contrivance, thereby distribut-
ing the tailings all over the tanks and at the same time keeping the
mass in a constant state of agitation. By means of openings near the
top of the tank the slimes are permitted to escape, while the coarser
product settles. Wlien the tank is filled the discharge from the con-
centrators is turned to another tank, which is filled in the same
manner.
The accumulation of the first tank is then drained and given a
weak cyanide solution and subjected to a short treatment. Under-
neath these tanks is another set of the same dimensions. In the
bottom of each upper tank are four discharge openings through which
the material is shoveled, where it is again subjected to a strong solu-
tion of cyanide.
Before the mass leaves the upxDer tank all solutions are conveyed to
four zinc precipitation boxes, each 21 feet long, 2^ feet wide, and 2
feet deep. In these boxes the values are jirecipitated and the solu-
tion drained into sumj) tanks and used over again. After final treat-
ment the tailings are discharged from the lower vats b}^ sluicing
through the openings in the bottom. It is estimated that the cost of
-treatment by this jn'ocess can be brought below 75 cents per ton.
TELLURIDE POWER TRANSMISSION COMPANY.
For the growth of its mining industry San Miguel County is
indebted to the Telluride Power Transmission Comiiany more than to
any other agency. The first jilant was erected at Ames, at tlie con-
fluence of two forks of the San Miguel River, about 12 miles distant,
and having a combined capacity of 1,600 horsepower.
During the jiast season an enlargement of its plant to double its
former capacity has been comjileted.
The new station is located about halfway between Telluride and
Ames.
The water for driving the dynamo is taken from the discharge flume
from the Ames plant, aggregating 3,000 cubic feet per minute. From
the pressure box to the water wheels the water is conveyed by pipe of
heavy boiler steel, 32 inches in diameter, under a head of 503 feet.
Tlie whole apparatus is of the most modern type. In transmitting
the power generated at this plant nearly 60 miles of aluminum cable
are used.
NEW DISCOVERIES.
During the year there have been made a few new discoveries of ore
deposited, carrying a fair jiercentage of coiiper, in the western end of
the county, close to the Utah line, and extending north into Montrose
County. But the long distance the ore requires to be hauled by wagons
to railroad has greatly retarded development work.
From tests made it has been demonstrated that the lixiviation proc-
136
PflEClOlTS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
ess is best adapted for treating the ores, and one plant was erected the
past year.
While it can not be said that the copper production in the La Sal
Mountains has assumed any real importance, it is evident that the
possibilities are at least promising.
Total Production.
County.
Gold
(value).
Silver
(coining
value).
Total
value, gold
and silver.
Lead
(value).
Copper
(value).
Total
value.
Baca
$93
$93
$1,383
$1,476
Boulder
1595,099
116,534
711,633
$3,146
3,162
717,941
Clear Creek
466,193
1,737,261
2,203,454
204,113
.38,031
2,445,598
Chaffee
134,473
95,409
229,882
34,437
97,478
361,797
Costilla -
1,240
147
1,387
83
15
1,485
Conejos
765
5:J4
1,299
698
1,997
Custer.
20,423
105, '^15
126, 138
29, .333
343
155; 814
Delta
765
bi
799
799
Dolores
39,010
2a3,8S8
242,898
7,866
.5,555
256,319
Eagle
101,565
300,355
401,920
152, 194
55,951
610,065
Fremont
41
257
298
1.35
1,034
1,467
Garfield
313
3
316
316
Gilpin
1,637,921
302,529
1,940,4.50
30, 178
124,593
2,095,221
Grand
41
1
42
42
Gunnison
82,211
187, 795
270,006
65,483
6,660
342, 149
Hinsdale
55,3r>5
198,987
254,342
387,436
4,538
646,316
Jefferson.
78
1
79
79
Lake
2,687,612
9,686,044
12,373,656
2,571,583
611,755
1.5,556,994
Larimer
1,078
47
1,125
2, 148
3,273
La Plata
10,675
8, 751
19; 426
579
55
20; 060
Montrose
593
17,854
18,447
4,949
23,396
Mesa
20
20
'320
.340
Montezuma
1, 391
2
1,393
1,393
Mineral
201,471
2,918,590
3, 120; 061
618,393
2
.3,738,456
Ouray
1,434,692
2,540,664
3,975,356
392,024
54,891
4,422,271
Park
114,255
48,806
163,061
28,213
2,332
193,606
Pitkin
1,054
5,271,491
5,272,545
1,135.388
871
6, 408, 804
Pueblo
103
11
114
114
Rio Grande
105,521
3,933
109,454
1,076
1,295
111,825
Routt . ..
1,213
49
1,262
899
2,161
Saguache
7; 782
20,208
27; 990
13,0.59
2,485
43, .534
San Juan
752,325
871,923
1,624,248
727,047
307,3.33
2,6.58,628
San .Juan region
1, 550
32, 562
34, 112
2,358
:15,906
72,436
San Miguel
1,810,695
1,454,691
3,265,386
138,693
48,477
3, 4.52, .5.56
Summit
331,535
516, 169
847, 704
232,051
8,242
1,087,997
Teller . .
18,073,539
102, .515
18, 176,054
5
18,176,tt59
Wild . . .
83
83
83
Unknown
196,712
255,075
451,787
13,364
122, J54
.587, .505
Total
28,869,392
26, 998, 928
55,868,320
6,788,232
1,543,820
64,200,372
. Source of Production.
Gold:
Placer bnllion
From chlorination mills . .
From cyanide mills
From dry and copper ores
From lead or wet ores . . .
$721,734
5, 844, 607
2,521,259
15,034,162
4, 747, 630
Total 28,869,392
Silver (coining value) :
From quartz 6,209,753
From lead and cofiper ores 20, 789, 175
Total .
26, 998, 928
IDAHO.
i>y ,T. AV. Cunningham,
Assai/er in charge United States assay office at Boise, Idaho.
Idaho’s production of the metals during tlie j^ear 1900 was as follows:
Gold... $2,078,036
Silver 8,468,839
Lead 7,689,974
Total - 18,236,849
A comparison with corresponding values for the j)revious year shows
a falling off in gold of $32,682, an increase in silver of $3,185,396, and
an increase in lead of $2,976,370; a net gain of $6,129,084.
The decrease in gold is accounted for the falling off of the water
supply in the placers, caused by the light snowfall in the mountains.
The increase in silver and lead comes mainly from the Coeur d’Alene
mines, of Shoshone County, where all of the mines have materially
increased their output.
The following tables have been careful 1}^ comiuled from the most
reliable sources — in most cases direct from the mine owners — and it is
thought they will be found Avithout error or exaggeration :
Product of Gold and Silver in Idaho, by Counties, Calendar Year 1900.
County.
Gold.
Silver.
Total
Weight.
Value.
Weight.
Value.
value.
Ada
Fine ozs.
1,621
$33,509
Fine ozs.
656
$848
$34,a57
Bannock
533
11,018
186
241
11,259
Bingham
881
18,212
69
76
18,288
Elaine
1,666
34,439
157,548
203,698
238,137
Boise
17,8a5
368,682
5,068
6,553
375, 2a5
Canyon
465
9,612
105
136
9,748
Cassia
1,93j5
40, (XK»
185
2:59
40,239
Custer -
2,070
42,791
111,878
144,650
187, 441
Elmore
3,730
77, 106
1,418
1,833
78,939
Idaho
7,354
152,021
1,856
2,400
154,421
Lemhi
15,855
327,752
3,008
3,889
374
331,641
Lincoln
2,108
43,576
289
43,950
Oneida
629
13,003
99
128
13,131
Owyhee
37,538
775,979
1,006,212
1,300,%!
2,076,940
Shoshone.
5,754
118, 946
5,261,417
6,802,640
6,921,586
Washington
551
11,390
134
173
11,563
Total
100,525
2,078,036
6,550,118
8, 468, 839
10,546,875
Metal.
Quantity.
Value.
T’nt.a.l ...
100,525
6,550,118
170,888,315
$2, 078,036
8, 468,839
7,689,974
18,236,849
137
138
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
Gold and Silver Produced in Idaho Deposited at Government Institutions
DURING the Calendar Year 1900.
Mints and assay offices.
Gold.
Silver.
Total value.
Standard
ounces.
Value.
Standard
ounces.
Value.
Mints:
San Francisco
Philadelphia
Denver
Assay offices:
Boise
Helena
New York
Seattle
Total
470.896
456.005
514. 949
40,857.834
11,069.135
95.396
393. 795
$8,760.85
8.483. 81
9,580.45
760,145.56
305,937.31
1.774.81
5,447.35
138.34
156. 16
51.01
11,546.39
3,181.76
31.45
43. 71
$149.34
181. 71
59. a5
13,4a5.80
3,538. 77
34. 96
49.70
$8,910.19
8, 665. 53
9,639.80
773,581.36
308,475.98
1,799.77
5,497.05
53,756.990
1,000,130.04
14, 137.83
16,439.63
1,016,569.67
Source of the Deposits at the United States Assay Office, Boise, Idaho,
FOR THE Calendar Year 1900.
Source.
Gold.
Silver.
Total
Weight.
Value.
Weight.
Value.
value.
Idaho:
Ada County
Fine ounces.
918. 619
$18, 989. .54
6, 663. 18
14, 813. 90
18,76,5.37
Fine ounces.
415. 99
$.537. 85
175. 39
$19, .537. 39
6,838.47
14,870.90
19,353.97
390, 993. .54
5,167.44
34,107.83
11,693.73
64, 481.. 50
87,864. t>4
Bannock County
333. 331
135.58
Bingham County
716. 574
44. 86
,58. 00
Blaine County
907. 775
455.35
588. 60
Boise County
13,831.039
346. 078
385, 706. 33
.5,086.88
33,979.30
11.. 38,5.41
4,089.40
63. 31
.5,387.31
80.56
Canyon County -
Cassie County
1, 160. 001
99.30
138.47
Custer County
550. 769
338. 46
308. 31
Elmore County
3,049.435
4,188.361
5, 786. 734
1,395.383
377. 6J55
63,037.43
86.579.03
119,633.30
38.84.5.13
7,806.41
44. 198. 03
18.437. 13
6,331.36
1,116.91
994.34
1,44-4.08
1,38.5.61
1,077.87
383. 40
Idaho County
Lemhi County
833. 66
130; 700. 07
Lincoln County
319. 19
39,138.53
7,877.09
45,765.36
Oneida County
54. 67
70.68
Owyhee County
3, 138.079
891. 896
1,313. 17
338.57
1, .567. 34
4.37. 75
Shoshone County
18,874.87
Washington County
301. 443
81.03
104. 77
6,336. 13
Total. Idaho
36,773.041
58.308
760,145.55
1,305.33
10,391.75
7. ,53
13,435.79
9. 74
773, .581. 34
1,31.5.07
135,749. 15
730,816.77
6,384.91
3,648. 19
696.96
Alaska A
Montana
6,0.53. 766
34,4,55.910
304. 073
135, 131.78
485. 3:?
637. 37
Oregon
713; 366. 87
6,38.5.73
3, .596. .55
68.5,48
188. 50
14,347. 19
76.71
18, .549. 90
99.18
Utah
Washington
173. 983
.39. 94
.51.64
British Columbia
33. 160
8.88
11.48
Northwest Territory
9.119
4.10
5.30
193.80
Redeposits
3,650. 788
54, 796. 65
563. 71
738.84
.55,535.49
Grand total
80,510. 147
1,664,393.4*4
3.5,935.04
33, .519. 34
1,697,811.68
Distribution of the Gold and Silver Product of Idaho for the Calendar
Year 1900, as to Sources of Production.
Gold: Fine ounces. •
Quartz 50,804
Placer 43,721
Silver:
Quartz 1,021,153
Lead ores 5, 528, 965
MONTANA,
By B. H. Tatam,
Assayer in Charge United States Assay Office, Helena, Mont.
The value of the gold, silver, copper, and lead recovered f mm mining
during the calendar 3^ear 1900 aggregated $63,746,720.91 in value, and
was distributed to the several metals in the following quantities and
amounts :
Description.
Quantity.
Value.
Gold
Silver
Copper (at $l(i. 19 per hundredweight)
Lead (at §4. ,37 per hundredweight)
fine pounds.-
do
229,114.882
14.294,8,3,5.11
24,5,998,365
16,044,751
$4,736,224.95
“18,482,211.05
39,827, ia5.29
701,155.62
Total value
63,746,726.91
® Coining value.
The prices at which botli copper and lead are figured above were
the average New York selling prices for these metals. When com-
pared with the production in the year 1899 a slight decrease is to be
noted in each of the metals, the difference being shown in the table
below :
Metals.
1899.
1900.
Decrease.
Quantity.
Value.
Quantity.
Value.
Gold fine ounces..
Silver do
Copper ..fine pounds..
Lead do
Total.
233, 126. 717
16,850,7,54.85
245,602,314
20,344,7,50
S4, 819, 1,56. 95
a 21, 786, 834., 52
40,941,9a5.74
909,410.33
229,114.882
14,294,8^5.11
245,998,3a5
16,044,751
$4,736,2;n.95
a 18, 482, 21 1.05
39, 827, i:i5. 29
701,1,5.5.62
$82,932.00
3,:«)4,623. 47
1,114,770.45
208,254. 71
68,457,307.54
63,746,726.91
4,710,580.63
a Coining value.
The total decrease in the values is equal to 7 i^er cent. Nearly all
of this amount occurred in silver. This was due to the closing down
of the works and mines at Elkhorn, to the steadily diminishing output
of silver-lead ores in the State, to smaller silver contents in the copper
ores of the Butte district, and to a lessening output of silver bj^ the
mills of the State. The exhaustion of ore at several of the mines
heretofore prominent as large producers explains the decrease in gold.
In copper the loss in value was due to a lower average price for this
metal during 1900 than in 1899, the quantitj^ of copper having in-
creased somewhat.
Lead mining in Montana is at present of minor importance. In 1900
the mining of this metal in Beaverhead, Broadwater, Cascade, Flat-
head, and Meagher counties showed either no imi)rovement or a
decrease from the operations of the preceding year.
Notwithstanding the decreases noted above, the mining industry in
the State is in a flourishing condition, and the promise for the future
is fully as encouraging as at the close of the i^receding year. How-
ever, the eight-hour law was a feature of the political campaign in
139
140
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
1900, and, having been a successful issue at the polls, an uncertainty
characterizes mining operations. Until the contemplated legislation
is enacted and its oj)eration tried, the advancement of the mining
industry must at least be hindered temxjorarily. This embarrassment,
liowever, is no reflection on the real merit of the natural abilities of
the projjerties themselves when not interfered with.
The gold tliat was won in 1899 and 1900 originated from the sources
indicated in the table below, and in the quantities and values sj)ecifled :
Classification.
1899.
1900.
Increase.
Decrease.
Quantity.
Value.
Quantity.
Value.
Placer bullion
Mill bullion
Cyanides
From copper ores . .
Prom lead ores
In smeltingc ores
Total
Fine ounces.
28,837.617
64,070. 159
38,247.583
55,706.317
7,815.539
38,459.502
$595,919.73
1,334,447.73
790,647.71
1,151,551.77
161,561.53
795,028.48
Fine ounces.
26,709.214
70,a50.343
43,923.697
54,253.098
7,918.654
26,960.877
$552,128.45
1,454,270.64
887,311.57
1,121,490.40
163, 693. 10
557,330.79
$139,822.91
96, (563. 86
3,131.57
$4:3,791.28
30,061.37
237,697.69
233,126. 717
4,819,156.95
229,114.883
4,736,224.95
238,618.34
311,550.34
The gold taken from the jilacers of Montana amounted to 11.00 x>er
cent of the total production, having been the result of operations more
or less extensive in the several parts of the State where mining j)re-
vailed. There are extensive deiiosits of auriferous gravel iq^on which
large oxierations are contemjilated, but these can only be brouglit to
jirofitable operation by the exj)enditure of considerable sums of
money under intelligent and efficient direction for ditches, flumes,
drains, and machineiy. The gain in mill bullion during 1900 came from
the develoinnent of a class of ores in the State suited to such operations
and the equi])ment of tlie same with the necessary facilities for the
treatment of this class of the product and the saving of the contained
values.
Tlie gain of nearly $100,000 from material treated at the several
cyaniding plants in the State indicate that this iirocess can be ox>er-
ated successfully on the ores of the State and that its emiiloyment is
attended witli xirofitable results. Its use is under consideration at
I)roi)erties where it has not heretofore been employed, and the coming
year will j)robably witness the establishment of additional works for
tlie savings of values. Tlie gold taken from the coiiper ores of the
State in 1900 shows practically no change, the amount of gold j)er ton
in the ores reduced having been about the same during each of these
years. Fi-om lead ores the gold iiroduced varied little in 1900 from
the yield of 1899, and the falling off in the amount taken at the smelt-
ei*s from dry oi-es and concentrates was jirincipally due to the smaller
out, put of these ores throughout the State.
The amoimts of silver for the years 1899 and 1900 that originated in
the various classes of the product were as follows:
Classification.
1899.
1900.
Increase.
Decrease.
Quantity.
Value.
Quantity.
Value.
Placer bullion
Mill bullion
Cyanides
From copper ores..
Prom lead ores
Prom smelting ores
Total
Fine ounces.
6,592.78
2,690,893.07
97.684.83
9,8!KJ,.572.37
2, 50-1, 695. 2-1
1,663,317.56
$4,645.20
3,479, 1:3:5. 17
126, 299. .58
12,787,810.73
:3,2:58,:39:5.85
3,1.50,551.99
Fine ounces.
3,2.52.20
1,76(5, (592. .59
109,4.52.(58
!),.‘524,085.39
3,1:34, 802.18
956, .5.50. 07
$4,304.86
2,284,208.(50
141,514.58
12,0.5;),:38:3. 13
2,760,148.27
1,2:3(5,7.51.61
$15, 215. (K)
$440. 74
1,194,924.57
'''733,‘4^.‘(50
478,345.58
913, 8a). 38
16,850,754.85
;n, 786, 834. 52
14,2!M,835.11
18,482,211.05
15,31.5.00
3,319,838.87
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
141
The silver obtained from the placer mines of the State is insignifi-
cant, this metal being associated witli the gold as a by-prodnct. The
gain in silver recovered at the cyanide iilants in the State is to be
attributed to tlie same causes attendant upon tlie gain in gold from
this source. Decreases in the silver production of 1000 below that of
1800 occurred in the mill product, in the ores sent to tlie smelters, and
in that taken as a by-product from copper and from lead ores. The
abandonment of the Elkhorn mine, already noted, x)artially exx)lains
the falling off of the silver from milling plants. Besides this the
amounts taken from the ores of tlie Philipsburg district was decreased.
The output of silver in Dore bullion by the Montana Mining Company,
at IMarysville, and from other mills in the State also shows a lessened
output during 1900. A decrease in the silver won from the smelting
of copper and lead ores Avas due either to a decreased output of the
ores themselves or to a smaller amount of the silver contents per ton
of ore mined and treated.
The mining of the copper ores in the State is still the most important
and valuable feature of the metal-mining industry. The city of Butte,
the center of this production, continues to be the scene of great com-
mercial and industrial actiAuty. Its production of that metal is the
greatest of any region in the Avorld, more than one-fourth of the Avorld’s
supply of copper coming therefrom. The previous large number of
employees under ground at Butte and in the smelters at Butte, Ana-
conda, and Great Falls Avas maintained steadily throughout the year,
Avdiile the tonnages of the railroads in coal and incoming supplies and
in copper matte and ores outgoing Avas never greater.
The mining of lead ore Avas of decreasing importance during 1900,
the principal centers of production having been in Meagher, Cascade,
Flathead, Beaverhead, and Broadwater counties.
BEAVERHEAD COUNTY.
The yield of precious metals during 1900 was below that of the pre-
ceding year, as shown in the f olloAving table :
Metal.
1899.
1900.
Decrease,
Quantity.
Value.
Quantity.
Value.
Gold
Silver
Copper
Lead
fine ounces..
do
fine pounds..
do
7,822.485
253,262. 01
165,719
1,0;18,894
S161,7a5.11
« 327, 449. 87
27,625.36
46,438.56
6,216.928
233,323. 71
131,494
1,013,524
• 8128,515.31
a301,671.05
21,288.88
44,290.99
$33, 189. 80
25,778.82
6,336.48
2, 147.57
Total
563,218.90
495,766.23
67,452.67
a Coining value.
Recent years have witnessed but feAV changes in the mining opera-
tions of Beaverhead County, or in the discovery of ncAV ore deposits,
or the opening of districts previously uuAvorked. The principal addi-
tion was the installation and operation of a dredging device near
Grant to handle the gravels along Horse Prairie Creek. As in recent
years dredging operations were pursued uninterruptedly along Grass-
hopper Creek, near Bannack. The mines and smelting plant of the
llecla Consolidated Mining Company, at Glendale, also continued
operations with but little change in the conditions that have obtained
at this property in recent years.
142
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
BROADWATER COUNTY.
Tlie quantity and value of the mineral product from this county in
1900 is shown by the table below, and is compared with correspond-
ing figures for the preceding year:
Metal.
1899.
1900.
Decrease.
Quantity.
Value.
Quantity.
Value.
Gold
Silver
Lead
fine ounces..
do
fine pounds..
8,262.627
U4,948.a5
1,088,036
$170,803.66
>‘187,407.96
48,635.21
6,644.593
108,644.5:3
1,024,804
$137,355.93
“ 140, 469. 69
44,783.93
$33,447.73
46,938,27
3,851.28
Total
406, 846. 83
322,609.55
84,237.28
Coining value.
The decrease arose principallj^ in the district around Winston. The
output from tlie Hassel district was also lower than in the former year.
General activity characterizes operations in the districts around Win-
ston, Radersburg, Hassel, and Diamond City. The ores of the Win-
ston district are silver-lead, the princiiial producers during 1900 having
been the East Pacific and Custer mines. Much exploration is said to
have been done at the East Pacific and elsewhere in the district, with
good results, and it is likely that the output from this district will be
increased. There was an increase in the amount of metal produced
in the district around Radersburg, where the Keating mine is the
oldest and most important property. Some gold was washed from
the gravels of Confederate Gulch, near Diamond City. Prospecting
for quartz was also done. The Diamond Hill mines at Hassel produced
but little bullion during the year, and, owing to the low grade of the
ore exj)erienced, the company owning and operating the mines have
abandoned their work and are offering their entire milling plant for
sale.
CASCADE COUNTY.
The output of the metals in this county during 1900 was less than
in the former year, the amounts and values being shown below:
Metal.
1899.
19(M1.
Decrease.
Quantity.
Value.
Quantity.
Value.
Gold
Silver
Lead
fine ounces..
do....
fine pounds..
2,128.526
912, 7215. 21
3,810, 679
$44,000.54
» 1,180, 086. 57
170,3:37.35
2,001.1.5-5
781,448.35
2,164,475
$41,367.54
«1, 010, 357. 46
94,587.55
$2, 633. 00
169, 729. 11
75,749. 80
Total.
1,394,424.46
1,146, 312. .55
248,111.91
“ Coining value.
This output of metals was taken from the Neihart and Barker dis-
tricts, wliere the ores carry their principal values in silver and lead.
Both camps showed activity during the year, and, while the product
was less in 1900 than in the former year, the outlook for an imjirove-
ment is encouraging. In the Neihart district the principal producers
were tlie Broadwater, Diamond R., Elorence, Big Snowy, and Galt
mines.
The leading producer in the Barker district was the property of
I’RECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
143
Wright & Edwards, while the Gray Eagle, Liberty, Moulton, and
Equator mines aggregated a considerale tonnage foi- the year. Ilere,
too, there was some yield from small produeing i)roperties.
CHOTEAU COUNTY.
Tlie precious metals produced in this county in 1000 came from the
mines of the Landusky district in the Little Rocky Mountains, the
(quantities and values being as follows:
Metal.
I'.KX).
Quantity.
Value.
Gold
Fine ounces.
1,643.(523
. 1,811.05
$33,976.70
a 2, 341. 55
Silver a
Total value
36,318.25
» Coining value.
DEERLODGE COUNTY.
An improvement in the output of precious metals from this county
is to be noted for 1900. The values of the gold, silver, copper, and
lead are shown in the following table in comparison with correspond-
ing figures for 1899:
Metal.
1899.
1900.
Increase.
Decrease.
Quantity.
Value.
Quantity.
Value.
Gold fine ounces..
Silver do —
Copi)cr -fine pounds..
Lead do
10,349. 123
4,493.37
50,000
$213,935.36
a 5, 809. 60
8,335.00
9,124.836
120,415.23
24,374
399,000
$188,627.10
al55,688.38
3,94(5.15
17,436.30
$149,879.78
17, 436. 30
$25,308.26
4,388.85
Total
228,079.96
365,697. 93
167,316.08
29,697. 11
•
a Coining value.
The above product consisted of placer gold from the gulches
throughout the county, and of arsenical iron and other ores from the
mines tributary to Deer Lodge. The principal ]n*oducer in the county
was the Eineiy mine. This property shiqDj^ed its qiroduct to tlie
smelters for treatment and returns. Some ore was also taken by
leasers from the old workings belonging to the Royal Mining Company.
FERGUS COUNTY.
The gold and silver addecl to the State’s output by the mines of
Fergus County in 1900, together with corresponding figures for the
preceding year, are shown in the following table :
Metal.
1899.
1900.
Increase.
Quantity.
Value.
Quantity.
Value.
Gold
Silver
fine ounces..
do —
8,883.774
5,380.64
$183,643. 91
“6,956. 78
12,580.665
6, 136. 15
$260,065.43
“7.933.61
$76,421.52
976.83
Totjil _
190, (500. 69
267,999.04
77,398.35
a Coining value.
144
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
Tliis county contains large bodies of low-grade refractory gold ores
that have been iiiiiiossible to work for many years by the methods
then employed. However, with the advance that has been made in
the successful adaption of the cyanide process to an increasing range
of ores, it has been found j)ossible to treat the Fergus County deposits
successfully and profitably. The constantly increasing output of
values by the mines belonging to and the growth of operations by the
Great Northern Mining and Development Company, at Giltedge, have
attracted attention to this county, and outside capital has entered the
region, purchased new jiroperties, and is arranging for the erection of
new works for the treatment of these ore bodies. It is likel}^ that the
year 1001 will witness the production from this county about double
what it was in 1900.
FLATHEAD COUNTY.
The production of iirecious metals in 1900 by Flathead County,
when comi)ared with that of the preceding year, was as follows :
Metal.
1899.
1900.
Increase.
Decrease.
Quantity.
Value.
Quantity.
Value.
Gold fine ounces
Silver do
Lead fine pounds. .
Total
802. 204
47,380. 14
1,060,199
$16,584.27
a 61, 259. 16
47,659. 10
1,350.132
67, 181. 86
803,585
$27, 909. 70
a86,861.39
35,116.66
$11,325.43
25,602.23
$12,542.44
125,502.53
149,887.75
36,927.66
12,542.44
a Coining valne.
This indicates tliat the development done in this district during
recent years must result in the county maintaining a place among the
producing counties of the State. The output as yet is comparatively
small, nevertheless it is likely to increase for some years until a uni-
form production shall be established and continued. The greater
part of the present output comes from the district tributary to Libby,
although nearly all sections of ulie county afford many promising
prospects. The mines about Libbj^ carry their iirincipal values in
gold, lead, and silver. Gold was also taken from the placers along
Libby Creek and its tributaries.
GRANITE COUNTY.
A comparative table of the amounts and values of gold and silver
won from the ores in this county during the years 1899 and 1900 is as
follows :
Metal.
1899.
1900.
Decrease.
Quantity.
Value.
Quantity.
Value.
Gold fine ounces..
Silver do
Total
7,958.448
1,989, 213. .53
$164,515.72
ft. 2, .571, 912. 44
7,013. 688
1,732,528.95
$144,985.80
a 2, 240, 037.43
$19,529.92
3:11,875.01
2,736,428.16
2,385,023.23
351,404.93
«• Coining value.
While a considerable quantity of the gold is taken from the placers
and the small mines of this county, it is to the district around Philips-
burg that nearly all the enormous quantity of silver in the above
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
145
table should be credited. This is the location of the famous Granite
Mountain mine, besides other widely known properties, together witli
mammoth mills and refining plants. These properties carry nearly
all values in the silver contents.
JEFFERSON COUNTY.
In the following table the values of the gold and silver for the years
1899 and 1900 are shown:
Metal.
1889.
1900.
Increase.
Decrease.
Quantity.
Value.
Quantity.
Value.
Gold flue ounces..
Silver do
Copper . .line pounds. .
Leau do
7,415.708
887,929.36
25,687
1,400,880
$153, 296. 29
al, 148, 029. 88
4,282.02
62,619.34
.5,235.327
69,053.25
40,063
$108,223.81
a 89, 280. 97
6,486. 19
$2,204.17
$45,072.48
1,058,748.91
62, 619. M
Total
1,368,227.53
203,990.97
2,204.17
1,166,440.73
a Coining value.
The decrease was due almost entirely to the abandonment of work
at Elkhorn and to lessened operations elsewhere. Some of the prin-
cipal producers of the previous year also show diminished outputs.
Mining operations are carried on in all parts of the county, but prin-
cipally in the districts around Elkhorn, Clancy, Whitehall, Boulder,
Bernice, and Basin.
LEWIS AND CLARKE COUNTY.
The quantities and values of gold, silver, and lead produced from
the mines and placeis in this county during 1899 and 1900 were as
follows ;
Metal.
1899.
1900.
Increase.
1
Decrease.
Quantity.
Value.
Quantity.
Value.
Gold fine ounces. .
Silver do —
Lead... fine pounds..
Total
62,535.675
203,251.90
.500,000
$1,292,727. 13
“262,790.33
22,350.00
70,008.241
172,531.70
218,00.5.00
$1,447,198.78
“223,071.29
9,526.82
$154,471.65
$.39,719.04
12,823. 18
1,577,867.46
1,679,796.89
154,471.65
52, u42. 22
“ Coining value.
This county is the largest producer of gold in the State, about one-
third of tlie entire amount recovered being taken from the mines within
its boundaries. The principal districts are around Marysville, Rimini,
York, Jay Gould, Stemple, and Lincoln. In 1900 the Marysville dis-
trict showed great activity and the output therefrom was very large.
From 1883 to 1900 the Montana Mining Company, Limited, has been
worked steadily. In 1900 the greater part of the 110 stamps with
which this mine is equipped were hung up and remained idle nearly
the entire year. The ore deposits in the claims owned by the company
are reported to be exhausted, and unless new discoveries are made
from explorations now undertaken, it is likely that future milling
operations at this property must cease. This comi)any owns large
quantities of tailings, which they are treating by the cyanide process,
and it is only a question of time until this source of revenue must fail.
12066— 01 10
14G
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
unless new ore bodies are discovered or ol)iained and milling opera-
tions resumed.
The long life of this company and its extensive operations has given
an impetus to the mining industry in the State, and has been of mate-
rial advantage to the commercial life and growth of the region in
which it is situated.
The Bald Butte Mining Company, whose mines are situated on the
Continental Divide, enjoyed a year of uninterrupted and profitable
operation, and at the close of the year the prospect for 1901 was assured.
The 40-stamx) mill with which this projicrty is equipjied for the
reduction of its ores was operated at its usual high point of efficiency
during the year.
The Belmont mine, near Marysville, was operated by the Penobscot
Mining Coinjiany throughout the year. These ores are more refrac-
tory than those handled by the other large mills in the district, yet a
high percentage saving of the values is effected by immediate cyanid-
ing after the tailings leave the amalgamating tables.
During 1900 the 40 stamp mill belonging to Thomas Cruse reduced
a large tonnage of ores from the Bald Mountain and North Star mines.
Other jiroperties around Marysville were discovered and exj)lored,
and some ore therefrom was mined and hiilled during 1900. Notably
among such were those at Emj^ire, Gloster, and Big Ox. Prosf)ecting
was also active near Granite Butte, Jay Gould, and Stemxde, all of which
adjoin the Marysville district.
Idle York district, east of the Missouri River, showed considerable
activity in xirosiiecting and placer mining. Some bullion was won
from the ores mined there, Aidiile the returns from the placei’S was
considerable.
A large quantity of low-grade base ores was shipped from the Rimini
district. Values were also recovered from the districts around Union-
ville, Lincoln, and Butler. The large works at East Helena for the
reduction of custom ores and mine xiroducts xu'oduced in the State con-
tinued operations throughout tlie year. The tonnage of material
liandled was largely increased over that of former years, and in order
to treat this new and extensive additions are being made. The xiln-nt
at Can,>^m Ferry, wliei'e a dam has been built across the Missouri
River, furnislied the reduction works at East Helena with electrical
X>ower. Tn oi-der to suxix^l}^ this xiower to the mines and works at Butte,
a line is being built from Canyon Ferry to that city, and the xdant
itself is being greatly increased in size and caxiacity.
MADISON COUNTY.
The output of xu'ecious metals in Madison County in 1900 showed
some increase over tlie year 1899, as is set forth by tlie following
comxiarisons:
Metal.
18!)9.
19(X).
Increase.
Decrease.
Quantity.
Value.
Quantity.
Value.
Gold fine ounces..
Silver do
Copper ..fine pounds..
Lead do
Total
708. 977
104,:U0. 74
40,000
;370, 477
$490, 108. 05
't 1:14,918.12
0, ()()8. 00
16, 500. 32
26,8.59.;i74
i:i0,634.02
18,000
22:2,000
$5.5.5,232.54
a 168, 900. .55
2,914.20
9,701.40
$.55, 124. 49
;i;i,982.43
$3,753.80
6,&58.92
648,254.49
736,748.69
89, 106. 92
10,612.72
Coining value.
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
147
The milling done in this county is confmod to tlie South Boulder and
McCarty ranges. The principal centers are at V irginia City, Sheridan ,
Rochester, Silver Star, Twin Bridges, Parrott. Pony, Red Bluff, Norris,
and Revenue.
MEAGHER COUNTY.
1
■' The figures of the production of gold and silver won from the mines
at Castle and elsewhere in the county during 1900 are as follows, a
comparison being made with similar data for 1899:
Metal.
1899.
1900.
Increase.
Decrea.se.
Quantity.
Value.
Qixantity.
Value.
Gold. -fine ounces. .
Silver do
Lead .fine pounds..
Total
242. 857
150,020. 86
5, 000, 000
$5,020.30
a 193, 966. 36
223,500.00
168. 446
255,610.35
4,500,000
$3,482.09
a;330,486.11
196. a50. 00
'$'l^;’5i9.'75’
$1,538.21
26,850.00
422,486.66
530,618.20
136,519.75
28,388.21
a Coining value.
MISSOULA COUNTY.
The entire product from this county consists of high-grade placer
gold taken from various gulches. The output for 1899 and 1900 is
shown below:
Metal.
1899.
1900.
Increase.
Quantity.
Value.
Quantity.
Value.
Gold
Silver
do
2, 749. 898
100.96
$56,84.5.44
a 130. 53
3,229.399
151. 39
$66, 757. 60
a 195. 74
$9,912.16
a5. 21
Total -
56,975.97
66, 953. 34
9,977.37
a Coining value.
PARK COUNTY.
The development of the mines belonging to the Bear Gulch Mining
Company, at Jardine, is bringing this county into prominence as a
producer. A gain was made in 1900 over the yield of the previous
year, as shown by the following figures:
Metal.
1899.
1900.
Increase.
Quantity.
Value.
Quantity.
Value.
Gold - fine ounces..
Silver do
Tobn.1 .
5,8a3.176
458. 72
$121,616.04
a 593. 09
9,778.754
1,927.23
$202, 144. 78
a2,491.77
$80,528. 74
1,898.68
122,209.13
204,636.55
82,427.42
a Coining value.
Besides the mines at Jardine, values were won in 1900 from placers
and from the mines at Crevasse, Contact, and Cooke City.
148
PEECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
SILVER BOW COUNTY.
Nearly the entire yield of precious metals in 1900 was contained in
the copper ores mined at Butte, the output in 1890 and 1900 having
been as follows :
Metal.
1899.
1900.
Decrease.
Quantity.
Value.
Quantity.
Value.
Gold fine ounces. .
Silvera do
Copper ..fine pounds..
Total..
63,a38..377
9,a55,831.97
245,345,908
SI, 283, 447.08
“12,743,893.88
40, 882, 492. 80
54,552.115
9,454,279.30
245,783,551
$1,127,692.30
“12,223,714. 73
39, 792,3.50.90
$1.54,754.78
519, 179. 15
l,090,L3.5.iH3
54,907,833.82
53,143,703.93
1,764,009.89
a Coining' value.
The above values show the enormous amount of production by the
Butte mines. Besides the values won from copper ores, some retui*ns
are secured from the placers of the county and from silver ores.
The following statistical tables of Montana production, showing tlie
quantity and values of tlie precious metals, their origin by counties,
and from the several classes of ores, together with the final disposition
of the ores and bullion as to the sale and treatment, have been assem-
bled from confidential I’eturns furnislied by the iiroducers.
These totals have been verified by comparison with those made
from figures and data given by the United States mints and assay
offices and the smelters and refineries that handled the Montana
product.
Deposits at the United States Assay Office, Helena, Mont., during the
Calendar Year 1900.
Gold.
Silver.
Source of deposit.
Standard
ounces.
Value.
Standard.
ounces.
Value.
Total value.
Montana:
Beaverhead County
445.590
$8,290.04
48.49
$;16.97
$8,317. 01
Broadwater County
3,074.922
57,207.82
.308. 01
107. 09
.57,:i75.51
Cascade County
5. («57
94.27
.25
.14
94.41
Custer County
14. 449
208. 82
:i. 93
2.22
271.04
Deerlodge County
4,704.830
87, .531. 76
005.2:1
303. 71
87, 895. 47
Flathead County
1,119.113
20,820. 70
157. 63
80. ,51
20,9(H;.21
Granite County
1,316.098
24,490.70
.201.98
108.99
24,60.5r09
Jefferson County
2. 030. 021
37,879.41
100.85
88.10
37. 907. ,51
Lewis and Clarke
County
32, 770. (K)0
009, 085. 47
14,090 18
7, 054. 44
61 7, ,3:59. 91
Madison County
11,840.047
220,391.51
2,5.57.98
1,414.41
2:-T, 805.
Meagher CJounty
108. 440
3, 133. 80
10. ,35
.5.70
3, 1:39. 02
Missoula Countv
3,229.399
60,081.82
151. :i9
84.00
(K), 105. 82
Park County
8,384. 7.54
1.5.5,995.34
1,. 597. 23
873. .54
1.50, 808. ,S8
Ravalli Conn tv
828.738
15,418.36
54. 70
30.24
15, 448. 00
Silverbow County
2,998.390
.55,784.06
872. 17
478. 03
.50,262.09
Total Montana
72.943.070
1,357,079.94
20,881.03
11,38.3.75
1, 368, 46:3. 09
Alaska
259. 654
4, 8:10. 76
49. 20
27. 80
4, 8.58. 50
Georgia
145. 0.53
2, 098. 05
7. 09
4.:i4
2, 702. 99
207,131. 12
Idaho
11,009. i;i5
20.5,9:17.12
2, 181.70
1,194.00
Oregon
1,080. 704
20,217.75
250. 20
142. <X)
20, 359. 75
Washington
1.50. 775
2,910.73
,51.. 50
29. 10
2.945 83
Northwest Territory
709.673
13,20:i.21
170. 71
97. 50
13,3(K). 71
Briti.sh Columbia
2.5,883.978
481,. 562. ,32
12,3.5:1.84
6,761.49
488,323.81
Jewelry
28.03:1
521.. 54
7. 60
4. 10
525. 04
Rotleposits
45. 310
842. 98
.5. .52
2. 93
845. 91
Total
:i9,:i84.:io.5
732, 731. 00
1.5,090.20
8,203.20
740,994.32
Grand total
112,327.!181
2,089,811.00
:i.5,971.23
19,047.01
•
2,109,458.91
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
149
Production of Q-old and Silver in Montana during the Calendar Year
1900.
Gold.
Silver.
Summary by counties.
Fine ounces.
Value.
Fine ounces.
Coining
value.
Total value.
Beaverhead
0,210.928
$128,515.31
233,323. 71
$:101,071.05
$430, 180, :io
Broadwater
0,044.59:1
137, a>5. 9:1
108, 044. 53
140,409.09
277,825.02
Ca.seade
2,001.155
41,:i07.54
781, 448. as
1,010,:157.40
1,051,725.00
tdioteau ..
1, (143. 02:1
3:1,970. 70
1,811.05
2, ail. 55
36,318.25
Custer
14. 449
298. 09
3. 93
5. 08
30:1. 77
Deer lodge
9,124.8:10
188,027.10
120, 415. 23
155, 688. 38
:i44, 315. 48
Fergus
12, 580. 005
20)0,005.43
0, 1:10. 15
7,9ai.01
2()7,999.04
Flathead
l,a50.132
27,909.70
07, 181.80
80,861.:i9
114,771.09
Granite
7,01:1.088
. 144,985.80
1,732,528.95
2. 240,0:17.4:1
2,385,023.23
Jefferson
5,2a5.327
1(V8,223.81
69,05:1.25
89, 280. 97
197,504.78
Lo wis and Clarke
70,(X)8.24]
1,447, 198.78
172,5:11.70
;i2:i,07i.:29
1,070, 270.07
Madison
2C,a59.374
555,232.54
130, ()34. 02
168,900.55
7:14, 133. 09
Meagher
108. 440
3,482.09
255, 010. a>
330,480.11
33:1,968.20
Mis.soula
3,229.399
00, 757. 00
151.39
195. 74
66, 9.5:1. ;i4
Park
9,778.754
202, 144.78
1,927.23
2,491.77
204,0:16.55
Ravalli
828. 7;i8
17,131.53
54.76
70. 80
17,202.:i3
Silverbow
Returns from custom smelt-
ers, mints, and assay of-
fices impossible to classify
54,552.115
1, 127,692.30
9,454,279.;16
12,223,714.73
13,351,407.03
by counties
11,804.419
245,259.32
1,159,099.29
1,498,633. 45
1,74:1,892. 77
Total
229,114.882
4,7:10,224.95
14, 294,8:15.11
18,482,211.05
23,218,436.00
Bullion op Montana Production Deposited at the United States Assay
Office, Helena, Mont., during the Calendar Year 1900.
Origin.
Gold.
Silver.
Total value.
Standard
ounces.
Value.
Standard
ounces.
Commercial
value.
Placer gold
20,092.284
52, 850. 792
$37:1,809.01
983,270.33
2,797.20
18, 083. 83
$1,. 540. 07
9, 843. 68
$375,349.68
993,114.01
Mill bullion
Total
72,943.076
l,a57,079.94
20,881.03
11,383.75
1,368,463.69
Bullion of Montana Production Deposited at the United States Mints
AND Assay Offices during the Calendar Year 1900.
Institution.
Gold.
Silver.
Total value.
Standard
ounces.
Value.
Standard
ounces.
Coining
value.
Mints;
Denver
Philadelphia..
San Francisco
Assay offices;
Boise
Helena
New York
Seattle
Total
112. i:i6
2,704.178
82. 150
6,725.295
72,943.070
27, 799. 832
4. 715
$2,086.25
50,310.29
1,528.37
125,121.77
1,:J57,080. 48
517,206.18
87. 72
11.93
2,941.08
10.25
5:19. 14
20,881.03
32,782.97
2. 17
$13. 88
3,42:104
11.93
627.30
24,297.93
:18, 147.40
2.52
$2,100. 13
5:1,733.3:1
1,540.30
125, 749. 13
1,381,378.41
555,353. 04
90.24
110,371.382
2,053, 421.06
57, 169. 17
66,524.12
2,119,945. 18
150
PEECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
Pkoduction of Gold and Silver in Montana (Origin Detailed) during
THE Calendar Year 1900.
Gold.
Silver.
Origin.
Fine ounces.
V alue.
Fine ounces.
Coining
value.
Total value.
Placer bullion
26,709.214
$552, 128. 45
3,252.20
$4,204.86
$556,33;!. 31
Mill bullion
70,350.342
1,454,270.64
1,766,692.59
2,284,208.60
3,738,479.24
Cyanide mill bullion
42,923.697
887,311.57
109,452.68
141,514.58
1,028,826.15
In copper ores
54,252.098
1,121,490.40
9,324,085.39
12,055,:i83.13
13,176,873.53
In lead ores
In dry ores and concen-
trates, classed as smelting
7,918.654
163,693. 10
2, 134,802. 18
2,760,148.27
2,923,841.37
ores
26,960.877
557,330.79
9.56,550.07
1,236,751.61
1,794,082.40
Total
229,114.882
4,736,224.95
14,294,835.11
18,482,211.05
2:1,218,436.00
Origin, by Percentages, of the Production of Gold and Silver in Montana
DURING THE CALENDAR YEAR 1900.
Origin.
Gold.
Silver.
Placer bullion
Percentage.
11.66
30. 71
18.73
23.68
3.45
11.77
Percentage.
0.02
12.41
.71
65.23
14.94
6.69
Mill bullion
Cyanide mill bullion
Copper ores -
Lead ores
Dry ores
Total
100
100
Production of Copper and Lead in Montana during the Calendar Year
1900.
Summary by counties.
Copper.
Lead.
Beaverhead ...
Fine pounds.
131,494
Fine jiounds.
1,013, .524
1,024,804
2,164,475
399,000
8,392
8(»,585
Broadwater
Cascade
883
24,374
Deerlodge
Fergus
Flathead -
Jefferson
40,063
Lewis and Clarke
218,005
222,000
4,500,000
211,971
5,478,995
Madison
18,000
Meagher.
Silverbow - -
245,783,551
Custom smelters in addition to the above not pos.sible to distribute
by counties
Total production
245,998,365
16,044,751
Disposition of Gold and Silver of Montana Production during the
Calendar Year 1900.
Gold.
Silver.
Disposition.
Fine ounces.
Value.
Fine ounces.
Coining
value.
Total value.
Deposited at the United
States mints and assay
offices
99,334.244
$2,053,421.06
51,452.26
$66,524.12
$2,119,945. 18
Shipped to custom smelters
and refineries by pro-
ducers
12it, 780. 6:38
2,682,803.89
14,243,382. 85
18,415,686.93
21,098,490.82
Total
2;J9, 114. 882
4,736,224.95
14,294,8a5.11
18,482,211.05
23, 218, 436. (K)
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITEJ) STATES
151
Total Production of Precious Metals in Montana during the Calendar
Year 1900.
Description.
Quantity.
Value.
Gold
Silver (coining value)
Copper, at $18.19 per hundredweight
Load, at $4.37 per hundredweight
fine pounds..
229,114.883
14,294,835.11
245,998,365
16,044,751
$4,736,234.95
18,482.211.05
39,827,135.29
701,155.62
Total -
63, 746, 726. 91
Production of Gold, Silver, Copper, and Lead in the State of Montana
FROM THE Year 1862 to 1900, inclusive.
Year.
Gold.
Silver.^
Copper.
Lead.
Total.
Yearly
increase.
Percent.
1862 to 1881, inclusive 6
$200, 000, 000
$11,000,000
$211,000,000
1882
2, 5.50, (XM)
4, 370, (XX)
$1,539,860
8, 4,59; 860
1883.
i;800;fK)0
6;ooo;ooo
3,4.52,960
$226,434
11,479,384
37i
1884
3,170,000
7, 000, (XX)
5, 386, .5(X)
246,326
14, 802,826
31
1885
3,400,000
11,. 500, 000
6,779,800
274,3.50
21,9.54,150
50
1886
4,432,(X)0
13,849,000
5,761,200
494, 133
24,526,332
12
1887
5,978,536
17,817,548
8, 8,53, 750
607,662
33,257,496
351
1888
4, 200, 2.5,3
15, 790, 736
15, 103, 946
569, 160
35,664,095
7i
3
1889
3, .500, (XX I
19,393,939
13,334,970
4.56,975
36,685,884
1890
3,300,000
20,36:3,636
16, 6.56, 437
675,392
40,99.5,4^5
111
1891
2,890,000
20. 139,394
14,;377,3.36
1,229,027
38, 6a5, 757
51
1892
2,891,386
23,432,323
19, 105, 464
990,035
45,419,208
18
1893
3, 576, (XX)
21, 858, 780
16,6:30,9.58
964, 089
43,029,827
c5
1894
3,a51,410
16. .575, 4.58
17,2:3:3,718
7:30, .551
38,191,137
cll
1895
4,327,040
22,886,992
21,114,869
754,360
49,083,261
281
1896
4,380,671
20,324,877
25,3.56,541
670,010
50,732,099
31
1897
4,496,431
21, 7.30, 710
26,798,915
928, 619
53,954,675
6
1898
5,247,913
19,1.59,482
26, 102,616
809, 056
.51,319,067
5
1899
4,819,157
21,786,835
40,941,906
909, 410
08,457,308
3:3
1900
4,736,225
18,483,211
39,827,135
701,156
63,746,727
c7
Total
273,337,022
332,461,921
334,358,881
12,236,734
941,394,558
a Coining value.
►>No annual compilations were made prior to 1881.
c Decrease.
NEVADA.
By R. K. COLCORD,
Assayer in charge of United States mint, Carson City, Nev.
Nevada’s production of gold and silver for the calendar year 1900
was:
Gold $2,023,803
Silver 1,931,075
Total production for the year 1900 3, 954, 878
Total production for the year 1899 3, 740, 790
Increase 214, 088
In confirming the preliminary estimate of the j>roduction of tlie
gold and silver from the mines of Nevada for the calendar year end-
ing December 31, 1900, it will be noted that the final cominlation
checks up very closely with the telegraphic report sent at the close of
the year. The preliminary estimate was based upon the returns of
the county assessors to the State controller and surveyor-general,
rej^orts received from individual producers and the mining and mill-
ing companies, together with the Carson mint receipts.
Final estimate for the year 1900. $3, 954, 878
Preliminary estimate for 1900 3, 940, 000
Difference ‘ 14, 878
The final estimate, as shown by the tables below, have been verified
by comparison with those made from figures and data given by the
various United States mints and assay offices and the smelters and
refineries tliat handled the Nevada product. Of the total amount
only about $20,000 was taken from placer mines, mostly by Chinamen.
The balance is from quartz, mill tailings, silver-lead and copper ores.
The installation of cheap electric power on the Comstock lode for
pumping, hoisting, milling, and lighting (nowin course of construction)
gives every hope of renewed prosperity and a greatly increased pro-
duction of bullion from these famous mines for many years to come.
During the past year two entirely new and apparently very impor-
tant mining discoveries have been made, the most promising of which
is on the line of Esmeralda and Nye counties, where a series of large
veins, carrying 1 or 2 ounces of gold and 50 to 100 ounces of silver to
the ton. This camp, called Tonapah, is situated 50 miles from the
Carson and Colorado Railroad. About a hundred men are now em-
ployed developing the different ledges, and there is no doubt but that
this new district wdll soon become quite au extensive bullion producer.
In Washoe County, near Rene, a very rich discovery of silver ore
has been made. From this find several carloads of ore that yielded
an average of 700 ounces per ton have been shipped.
Outside capital is seeking investment in copper properties in Esmer-
alda, Humboldt, Lyon, and Lincoln counties. A wealthy corporation
of Montana is operating extensively at Yerington, in Lyon County,
and are preparing to erect a large smelting plant.
No important gold discoveries have been made during the year,
152
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
153
though several old mines are being reopened, A large gronj) of gold
mines at Berlin, N}^e Connt}^ has been sold to an Eastern company,
which has erected a 30-stamp mill and is now making regular ship-
ments of bullion.
Aside from the Comstock lode and the great silver mines of Eureka,
the mining resources of Nevada are practically undeveloped. The
reason of this is not far to seek — when it is known that the State has
produced over $500,000,000 in gold and silver and that its total assessed
valuation to-day is only about $25,000,000, the rapid decline which has
taken place during the past ten j’-eai-s is not surpidsing. The golden
eggs have disappeared, together with the men who owned them. It
is the general opinion, however, that the tide has turned and that we
are now entering upon an era of prosperity. From this on Nevada
will continue to show a substantial increase in her bullion output.
Bullion of Nevada Production Deposited at the United States Mints
AND Assay Offices during the Calendar Year 1900.
Institution.
Gold.
Silver.
Standard
ounces.
Vahie.
Standard
ounces.
Value.
Mints:
Denver
San Francisco
Assay office:
New York
Total
To which add returns from custom
smelters and refineries
Grand total
153.563
34,490
47,933.716
S3, 856. 98
4.55, 637. 91
891,790.06
15. 96
587,614
86,584.64
$18.57
683,753.53
100,750.75
73,577.379
36,303. 139
1,350,374.95
673,538.17
674,314.60
985,340.48
784,533.85
1,146,5.53.03
108, 779. 418
3,033,803.13
1,6.59,555.08
1,931,074.88
Production of Gold and Silver in Nevada during the Calendar Year 1900.
Douglas
Elko
Esmeralda .
Eureka
Humboldt .
Lander
Lincoln
Lyon
Nye
Ormsby
Storey
Washoe
White Pine
Total.
County.
a Coining value.
Gold.
Silver. a
Total.
$.536
$7
$533
339,800
110,790
340, .590
134,980
.5.5,836
180,816
76,800
493,365
.570, oa5
73,3.30
80,551
153,781
80,075
137, 190
317,365
900, 106
330,806
1,330,913
80,065
55,975
136,040
50,004
53,676
103,680
33,330
135,113
101,800
393,310
134.030
417,333
65, 454
60,909
' 136, 363
185,430
169,060
354,490
3,033,803
1,931,075
3,954,878
Gold:
Source of Production.
Fine Fine
ounces. ounces.
Quartz . .
Placer . . .
Silver:
Quartz . .
Lead ores
96,911
990
97, 901
1,125,000
368, 566
1,493,566
Total
1,591,467
154
PKECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
THE COMSTOCK LODE.
By Alfred Doten, Virginia City, Nev.
From its discovery in 1859, ten years after the memorable rush from
all parts of the world by the Argonauts of ’49 to California’s golden
strand, the Comstock lode, situated in Storey County, State of Nevada,
has posed as the first and greatest silver mine in the United States.
Its grand yield of silver, amounting to over $200,000,000, entitles it to
that distinction, although it has also produced nearlj^ as much gold as
silver, contributing during the last forty years more than $400,000,000
to the precious bullion wealth of the woi’ld.
Its locality, near the eastern base of the Sierra Nevada, brings it in
contemporaneous line, as it were, with the silver mines of the Sierra
Madre, in Mexico, a few hundred miles southeastwardly. Great and
famous mines have been worked in the Sierra Madre and other parts
of Mexico for centuries, yielding vastly more silver than the Comstock
or other mines of lesser note in our silver State, Nevada, but none of
them were ever develojied as rapidly or made to yield so great an
amount of wealth in the same short space of time.
Situated Just a few miles east from the California line, the Com-
stock lode ranges in a southeasterly direction along steep mountain
sides and ravines toward Carson River. Its regulation dip downward
into the bowels of the earth is eastward 45“ to the lowest depth
explored, 3,300 feet, and its generally developed or defined length is
about 4 miles. Its width may be approximately stated at from a
quarter to half a mile, more or less, from the pretty well understood
west wall to the somewhat undefined eastern boundary, thus including
the so-called BrunsAvick lode, running parallel and immediately east,
which is claimed to be one of the fissures of the Comstock and is being
thus held and worked as belonging to the Chollar and other mines
lying west of it. In fact, even Sutro himself Avas not able to j)osi-
tively define just at Avhat particular point his big tunnel passed into
the broad Comstock lode.
THE GREAT ORE CHANNEL.
This Avide and extensive ore channel is composed of many fissure
veins or deposits of various sizes, lengths, and depths Avith relati\^e
position toAvard each other, the “bonanzas,” or richest and best ore
bodies, being of widely varied extent and capacity, juelding from
$100,000 to many millions Avith equal facility. Practically speaking,
bonanzas form exceptions to the general character of tlie lode, Avliicli
is composed of quartz, iiorphjuy, and clay, quartz being the gangue
carrying the precious metals. Consequently tlie only sagacious rule
for finding x>ay ore, or bonanzas, has been to folloAV quartz A^eins or
leads Avherever encountered in the exf)lorations.
And thus it Avas that the main body of the old lode got jiretty Avell
washed out in the lively iiassing years of mining activity, and the out-
skirt leavings, or offshoots of ore, remain, Avith possibilities of leading
to stray bonanzas somewhere and esiiecially in the unexi)lored greater
depths. Or f>erhaps the Sutro tunnel may some day be extended far-
ther AvestAvard through the hard and forbidding sj^enite or diorite Avest
Avail, Mount Davidson formation, to rich bullion veins beyond.
No dividend-paying bodies of ore Avere found beloAV the Sutro tunnel
level, and the deepest explorations, 3,300 feet beloAvthe surface, prov-
ing to be not only the xioorest, but the most costly, by reason of the
THE TOWN OF GOLD HILL, COMSTOCK LODE.
s
PKECIOUS METALS IN TUE UNITED STATES.
155
overpowering amount of water encountered, deep mining in tlie
Virginia section was finally abandoned October 18, 188(5, at the Com-
bination shaft and these deep levels allowed to fill up, the water
eventually rising nearly to the tunnel level, about 1,000 feet in depth.
Deep mining in the Gold Hill section had been abandoned from the
same cause about four years previously.
TOrOGRAPHICALLY CONSIDERED.
Virginia City, extending from Cedar Hill and Six Mile Canyon
southward, covers practically the main northern jiart of the lode,
the town of Gold Hill, immediately adjoining it on the south, at the
head of Gold Canyon, covering that section and Silver City, 2 miles
farther down the canyon toward Carson River, being generally con-
sidered as including the southerly terminus of the lode, comprising
a distance of about 4 miles.
The mills on Carson River which are or have been engaged in the
reduction of Comstock ores are scattered along from Empire, in
Ormsby County, down to Dayton and Sutro, in Ljmn County, about a
dozen miles, the mining, milling, and tailings distribution of the
Comstock ore product thus being included within Storey, Ormsby, and
Lyon counties. Some of the earliest milling was done over in Washoe
Valley and County, the ore having to be liauled by teams 10 or 12
miles. This was abandoned long ago, the mills dismantled, and one
small cyanide plant is engaged in working what is left of those old
mill tailings.
The largest and most productive ore bodies, or bonanzas, were found
beneath Virginia City, although cariying proportionally less gold than
those of Gold Hill. The ores of Silver City are princijially gold, found
in small veins scattered tliroughout tlie district, only the larger ones
carrying a small iiercentage of tlie Comstock silver. But it will be
borne in mind that it was the placer-gold washings at that point and
below, in Gold Canyon, as also later in Six Mile Canyon, by the early
gold-seeking emigrants to California that led to the Comstock dis-
covery, both ravines heading within about a mile of each other in the
main body of the old lode itself at the base of Mount Davidson.
DISCOVERED AS A GOLD MINE.
Thus it was that the Comstock lode was practically discovered in
June, 1859, by Pete O’Riley and Mike McLaughlin as a gold mine and
the real source of the gold washings in the two large ravines or can-
yons below, where they had been placer mining together for j^ears;
and they did not suspect even for a moment that the heavy metallic
“ black stuff” detrimentally clogging their rockers, riffles, and pans,
obliging them to scrape or shovel it aside out of their wajGn working
and washing the ragged gold from the decomiiosed quartz composing
the surface outcrop or apex of the lode, was simply the richest sul-
phurets of silver. That important discoveiy was made for them a
short time later on by other jiarties, more experienced in minerals,
examining their peculiar find. Indeed, had it depended on silver, the
Comstock discovery would not have been made. Silver ore was some-
thing totally unknown and unsought in the Territoiy of Nevada.
All of that “black stuff” was carefully and expeditiously scraped
up and packed over the Sierra to California for treatment or judi-
ciously piled aside for future reference. Having no appliances for
working silver ore, during the few weeks remaining before winter
156
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
closed mining and prosiiecting operations all attention was paid to
gold extraction and the active location of mining claims along tlie
lode by various parties who had got in on the startling new discoveiy,
which, incidentally, received its name from Henry Comstock, one of
the claim locators.
THE C40LD HILL COMSTOCK SECTION.
Although the silver-mining discovery was made first at Virginia, in
the surface outcroj)pings of what was subsequently the Ophir mine,
Sandy Bowers and others, for j'Oars placer mining in Gold Canyon,
had alreadj^ followed tlie lead of the gold washings up to t.heir evi-
dent sources, a bold, rocky little hill, or outcrop of quartz, 40 or 50
feet high and 300 or 400 feet in length. They found the decomposed
quartz exceedingly rich in gold and veiy shortly had the whole hill
located and divided up into 10 or 20 foot claims.
Gold Hill naturally became its name by common consent, subse-
quently proving to be rich also in silver and to be one of the strongest
and best paying outcrops or “chimnej^s” of the Comstock lode.
Its richest bonanza wealth, extending 700 or 800 feet in dejith, was
worked out years ago, the “hill” itself thus disappearing, and the
town of Gold Hill, at one time having about 7,000 inhabitants, is now
comparative!}^ depoinilated and dilapidated, the jirincipal mines form-
ing its foundations, the Imiierial, Challenge, Confidence, Yellow
Jacket, Crown Point, and Belcher, having been worked out of their
original bonanza productiveness and subsided into low-grade pickings
and deeper explorations for good-paying ore.
The famous Crown Point and Belcher bonanza, extending down to
the 1,700 level, yielded over $00,000,000 in its time. The Yellow
Jacket new shaft, 3,000 feet vertical depth, developing no pay ore, is
one of the deepest on the lode, and the Imperial and the Belcher
shafts and workings are nearly as deep. The Belcher 2,700 level,
south end, had the best showing for another rich old-time bonanza of
any onThe lode when the great inburst of water, tapped b}^ the Alpha
mine twenty years ago, flooded all the mines of the Gold Hill section,
and it still remains submerged in 1,500 feet of water, waiting for the
projected electric pumps to come to its rescue. A branch of the Com-
stock was suiiposed to SAving around to the right, or westward, below
the Belchei*, over on American FTat, but that proposition was never
satisfactorily defined or decided.
SILVER CITY COMSTOCK TERMINUS.
The southerly continuation of the great lode, or ore channel, assumes
more of an easterl}^ trend after passing Gold Ilill, following down the
canyon a couple of miles to an apparently diffusive ending at Sih’^er
City, which is just over the line into Lyon Countjq Avhere it breaks up
into numerous little veins or branches, scattered around among the
hills and ravines, sti*ay indications even extending 2 or 3 miles be3^ond,
to Carson River. Tims there are many small gold veins from a few
feet to a few inches in width, owned by two or three miners or even a
single miner working alone, making good pay or a good, comfortable
living for years.
There are no deep shafts, by reason of too much water to con-
tend with, and very little silver in any of the veins, much less than
any portion of the Comstock, which, perhaps, is Ihe reason why they
named the little town Silver City. Its somewhat scattered population
m
W's
C."
iJt4‘
m
' S.S
Si'iL.-.' it
-< ■ '•
i!l^
'i ^--
,v * (
. — «J *^
‘Y. '■■*;. •
IT ’I,
juJbL^
4
r
i
1^
«;
COMSTOCK ORE-REDUCTION MILL.
At tlie niontli of tlio Sutro 'I'nnnel. near Carson Iviver.
I’RECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
157
is estimated at about 1,200. Two ore reduction mills, of 30 or 40 tons
daily capacity each, are kept constanlly busy on custom or contract
work; also two cyanide plants working Comstock tailings. Alto-
gether, Silver City is a very nourishing community and one of the
best poor man’s mining camps in the State.
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS COMSTOCK.
The northerly extent of the great lode, beyond the Utah mine, is
undefined and scattered, many branches being claimed. For years,
however, mining experts have expressed opinion that the famous x)ub-
lic resort known as Steamboat Springs, 8 miles northwest from Vir-
ginia, in Washoe County, shows very demonstrative foundation for
belief in its Comstock origin or emanation. Many years ago, when
the mining shafts of Virginia and Gold Hill, witli constantly increas-
ing heat, had attained a depth of about 1,700 feet, springs or
shafts of scalding water were encountered, adding very materially to
the oppressive lieat, difficulties, and expense of the deep exxilorations.
The great ore channel, running through beneath the Mount Davidson
range, would consistently connect with these boiling springs in the
valley beyond. Be that as it may. Steamboat Springs is a strongly
mineralized locality. Good ore indications have been found about there
at various times in years past, and recently boring tests have revealed
ore at the depth of about 200 feet, giving high assays in both silver
and gold. This is in the immediate vicinity of the springs, and shafts
are being sunk to strike the vein or deposit. The character of the
ore is all right, and it is confidently claimed to be an extension of the
old Comstock. Miners’ picks and further time will solve the problem.
THE SUTRO TUNNEL.
The world-renowned Sutro tunnel, nearly 4 miles in length, pro-
jected by Adolph Sutro, is one of the most essentially important fea-
tures in the practical working development of the Comstock lode.
He personally broke ground at its commencement in 1869, ten years
after the discovery of the great lode, and stayed with it from start to
finish. Not a shaft in any of the mines had reached tlie dejitli of
1,000 feet, and great difficulty, as well as fearful expense, was en-
countered in xminjiing or otherwise disposing of the large and con-
stantly increasing quantities of water met with as greater depth was
attained; therefore the tunnel was a very apxiarent and absolute
necessity.
Sutro was a milling and mining operator and had but little money,
but he possessed the most indomitable energy and enterprise of anybody
and soon succeeded in substantially interesting European capitalists
with him in his grand project. The result was that the main tunnel
was carried through to completion ten years later, in 1879. It is 12
feet high and wide, properly timbered wherever required, having a
substantial car track throughout, with all necessary switches, and a
capacious double-box subdrain beneath the floor of the tunnel to carry
off all the water jiossible for the Comstock drainage to supply.
The mouth of the tunnel, or starting point, was judiciously selected
in the low hills bordering Carson River Valley, and its course is west-
ward, intersecting the heart of the Comstock near by at right angles
and about midway of its developed working depths, 1,650 feet verti-
cally below the general surface of the jirincipal mining shafts, the
158
PEECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
objective point being tlie main sliaft of the Savage mine, a distance,
as before remarked, of nearly 4 miles. (Plate.)
Lateral drifts, north and south along the east side of the lode, were
subsequently made, north 4,400 feet through the Gould and Curry,
Consolidated California and Virginia, and other intervening mines,
extending 335 feet into the Mexican mine. The south lateral branch
connects with the mines of the Gold Hill section, running 8,420 feet to
the Forman shaft of the Overman and Caledonia companies, inter-
secting it 1,600 feet below the surface, from which point a south-
westerly drift 2,465 feet connects with the Alta mine shaft. It is also
proposed to eventually run a drift from the Forman shaft 8,000 feet
to connect with the old Dayton shaft at Silver City, thus establishing
a much-needed new drainage level 400 feet lower than the deepest
workings of the valuable and productive group of mines at that end
of the Comstock. The mines of American Flat will also be eventually
brought to drainage connection with the Sutro tunnel through the
Gold Hill mines. The advancement of the main tunnel itself, west-
ward beneath Mount Davidson, has been under special consideration,
awaiting a revival of prosperity to bring it about.
The chief objects in the construction of the Sutro tunnel were the
drainage, ventilation, and facilities for the more effective working of
the Comstock lode, for which service all the mining companies along
the lode agreed to pay 12 per ton royalty on all ores extracted by
them worth $40 or more per ton, and $1 on all ores of less than that
amount in value. 4^his brought in a royal revenue in the bonanza
days, but in the later years of adversity, in 1890, the tunnel company
reduced the royalty to 4 per cent of the coin value of the gold and
silver bullion yield of the mines. The mining companies found it
more expedient and advantageous to hoist their ore to the surface
through their own shafts and ship it 15 or 20 miles by railroad to the
mills on Carson River, paying the royalty all the same.
NEW SUTRO MILLING ENTERPRISE.
The lateral branches of the Sutro tunnel, skirting along the east-
ern borders of the Comstock, jiassed through large amounts of very
low-grade ore, considered mere waste or of no value whatever by the
mining companies. This material constitutes a very considerable
portion of the immense waste dump at tlie mouth of the tunnel, and
recently, numerous assays and tests indicating it to liave a gold and
silver assay value of about $3 per ton, Mr. Franklin Leonard, presi-
dent of the tunnel comjiany, concluded to experimentally' take advan-
tage of the cheap facilities for working it.
A first-class 10-stamp mill from the Risdon Iron Works, San Fran-
cisco, was accoi-dingly erected 600 feet from the mouth of the tunnel
and just below the dump, utilizing the liberal stream flowing from
the Comstock through the tunnel as water power. The ore is shov-
eled into cars Miat run it directly into the mill, so that the cost of
liandling being a mere trifle and the power nothing, that waste stuff
pays a good little profit. The mill works to perfection, reducing 60
tons a day, 6 tons to the stamp. Ifienty in the dump, jilenty more
where it came from, and the mill can be easily enlarged if considered
advisable at any time. In running the main tunnel about four or
five good-sized ledges of low-grade ore, princiiially gold, were passed
through lying east of and [)arallel with the Comstock, which may
some day be found worth working.
THE GOULD & CURRY NEW MILL.
Near the mouth of the lower tunnel, through which the ore from the old upper wm king.‘< of the
mines pas.ses in cars about :?.000 feet directly into the mill. It has nine Kinkead gvratorv
crushens or grinders, with amalgamating plates, concentrators, etc.; wet process J)ailv re-
duction capacity lliO tons. Virginia City and Mount Davidson in the distance
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
159
SOME INTERESTING COMSTOCK FIGURES.
A careful and appreciative study of the subjoined up-to-date talni-
lar statement, “A,” will be of peculiar interest to stockliolders and
speculators as giving a good insiglit to the financial management of
the Comstock mines. It indicates considerably who paid the most
assessments and who got the best returns in dividends, also the poor-
est-paying mines for the assessments invested. It also gives a com-
prehensive list of the regular main-range mines of the Comstock
adjoining each other in order of succession, commencing at the north
end and proceeding southward through Virginia and Gold Hill to Sil-
ver City.
The excess of dividends over assessments in the summing up sub-
stantially refutes a reckless assertion sometimes heard that more
money has been put into the Comstock than ever was taken out of it,
“Cost more than it come to,” etc.
A.— Forty Years’ Assessments and Dividends.
Name of mine.
Number
of feet.
Total
amount of
assessments.
Total
amount of
dividends.
Utah Consolidated ..
1,500
4,400
1,000
675
600
1,310
540
612
771
400
7(X)
700
943
306
400
468
150
130
1,200
90
641
1,040
1,324
1,200
2, 188
2, 100
600
1,200
$.505,000
6,800,910
2.690.000
4,773,448
2,314,190
3, 443, 100
2,691,483
4,737,050
7.354.600
5,730,880
2.126.000
2,225,520
3,136,(XK)
322,350
1.023.000
2.291.000
447,500
558, 796
5.866.000
128,450
3.010.000
3.606.600
384,000
34, 4(50
3,240,(KX)
3,688,250
3,696,310
2,220,200
Sierra Nevada -
$102, .500
Union Consolidated
Ophir
1,592,800
Mexican
Consolidated California and Virginia
Best and Belcher -
84, 170,000
Gould and Curry
3,837,600
4. 460.000
1.850.000
750,000
Savage
Hale and N orcross
Chollar ... ..
Potosi
Bullion
Alpha
Exchequer
Imperial Consolidated
500,000
4.800.000
204,490
2.184.000
1,350,0(X)
11,90,3.0(X)
15,397i200
Challenge Consolidated (including Bowers and next adjoin-
ing small mines)
Confidence
Yellow Jacket
Kentuck
Crown Point
Belcher
Segregated Belcher
Overman
Caledonia
Justice
Alta 1
Silver Hill
Total -
79,045,097
133,101,590
Excess of dividends over assessments, $.54,056,493.
SUSTAINING POWER OF THE ASSESSMENT SYSTEM.
The regular assessments levied upon the nonpaying mines were
paid with the utmost facility by the market itself, delinquent assess-
ments being immediately added to the price of the stock, fortune-
blinded dealers hardly knowing or caring how it was done or who
paid it, and it is to this recklessness of stock speculation that many
of their mines owe their very existence to-day. All but the rich
bonanza group of Virginia and Gold Hill would have passed into
obscurity and the broad grave of buried hopes in the sweet long ago.
A good instance is that of the Bullion mine, conspicuously located
right in the middle of the big lode, on the municipal line between
160
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
Virginia and Gold Hill, which persistently belied its name by never
producing any bullion whatever. Yet it was actively worked and
explored for over thirty years, at a cost of more than $3,000,000, paid
by assessments levied upon the pockets of the stock-gambling public,
whose only knowledge of the Bullion mine was its auspicious name
and location.
So, also, through the sustaining power of stock speculation, the
miners were always assured of their regular wages whether the mines
produced anything or not. Their union fixed the rate of wages at $4
a day, and in the earlier and more flourishing times, with 3,000 or
more miners employed, the monthly pay roll averaged between $300,000
and $400,000 a month. Only about 300 miners are now employed,
with a pay roll of $36,000 per month; last year, the most x>overty
stricken, it was less, yet the $4 wage rate, higher than anywhere else,
is still arbitrarily maintained.
But Comstock mining matters are decidedly improving, and better
times are already perceptible with renewed advancement. Even the
stock market spasmodically tries to revive and respond, for the fas-
cinating gamble will still have its votaries as long as grounds for hope
exist of finding other rich bonanzas in the mutilated and water-logged
remains of the old Comstock.
PROSPECTIVE DIVIDENDS.
No dividends have been paid by any of the mining companies for
six years past, but owing to the rich and increasing ore extraction
and consequent financial prosperity of the Consolidated California
and Virginia Mining Company during the year, and what is now in
sight, three monthly dividends of 10 cents per share each are officially
promised to be paid during the first portion of 1901, amounting to
$21,600 each, or a total of $64,800.
This does not grandly compare with the old-time dividends of the
same company, but it is pretty good and encouraging under present
circumstances and conditions. Moreover, it proceeds mostly from the
steadily maintained output of good ore extracted from the 1,850 to
the 2,150 levels, 300 feet, so many years submerged and unavailable.
Since the new hydraulic pumj)ing plant was started into operation
at the 1,750-foot station of the shaft nearly two years ago, the water
has been steadily reduced and held as required in the reopening of
those old levels, thus promoting the production of over $600,000, with
good prospects in sight for oven better results. It certainly is a good
practical answer to the clironic controversy as to wnether it would
pay to drain those long submerged lower levels and resume deep
explorations.
CYANIDE PROCESS ON MILL TAILINGS.
Tlie Eureka Cyanide plant, belonging to the Comstock Mill and
Mining Company, is situated on the west bank of Carson River, just
witliin the border of Lyon County, about 9 miles below Carson City,
on the site of the old Eureka mill of 60 stamps, destroyed by fire ten
years ago. Tlie company owns the Morgan mill, 5 miles above, one
of the chief ore-reduction plants on tlie river, and they also have
become owners by purchase of about all the other mill-tailings depos-
its of any value or extent along the river, from the Mexican mill, at or
above Empire, down to their Eureka jilaiit, aliout 6 miles, including
those of the Brunswick mill, and also of the Nevada mill, at Virginia
EUREKA CYANIDE PLANT, CARSON RIVER.
General outside view.
if
¥
■i
*»
- ■
'iV*
- ^
»
EUREKA CYANIDE PLANT, CARSON RIVER,
Interior view of eyanide. zinc, and proei])itatinf;: do]iartment.
TRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
IGl
City, comprising many thousand tons, enough to keep tlieii- plant
running for years.
Various parties and processes have been engaged in attempts to
work the extensive dei^osits of Comstock tailings for many jT^ai-s })ast,
but the latest and most successful proves to be the cyanide process.
This plant is most advantageously located to command the tailings
situation, not only in working the old Eureka mill deposits, but all
above to Km})ire, a small narrow-gauge railroad along the river side
being utilized for that purpose. The tailings from the Nevada mill,
at Vii*ginia, are transi)orted by the Virginia and Truckee Railroad,
14 miles, to a convenient switch dump near the river, where they are
transferred by means of a chute about 200 feet down the steei) hillside
to the little narrow-gauge railroad mentioned.
THE EUREKA CYANIDE PLANT.
Tliis plant has been in established operation about four years, and
is now the most extensive, complete, and successful iu the State. It
includes all the latest, up-to-date improvements and appliances, not
only in the chemical working departments, but in the mechanical
moving and handling of the tailings sand itself from the time the lit-
tle railroad delivers it into the dump until it has passed through the
dissolving, precipitating, and other departments, and is finally turned
out, desjioiled of its gold and silver values to join the common sand
down the river. The various departments throughout tlie works are
electrically lighted, a dynamo being installed for the purpose, and a
20-horsej)ower engine stands ready for any emergency, but it is never
needed. Ample power and water for all purposes is furnislied by the
river itself the year round, 25 men finding steady employment at good
wages.
First of all the tailings or “sand ” is mechanically and automatically
conveyed from the railroad dunij) to eight leaching or dissolving vats,
25 feet in diameter by 8 feet deep, holding 150 tons each, which are
then filled in with the cyanide of potassium solution, 1,200 tons at a
time, thus continuously remaining subject to the chemical action for
eight days, one vat being emptied every day and another filled.
The precious liquid solution drawn from the vat is piped to the tank
and settlers of the zinc and precipitating rooms, and the now worth-
less sand is sluiced out of the vat into the river, ready for another
eight days’ change. As a result of this chemical treatment the gold
and silver extract is deposited in the form of black mud, which is
passed through filtering and washing apparatus, the quicksilver
retorted out of it, and the smelting furnace runs it into bright bullion
bars, ready to be added to the minted and commercial wealth of the
world.
The proportion of gold and silver in this bullion is about equal,
estimated on the basis of gold value. The bullion yield per ton from
tailings generally runs at a very low average, yet a fair profit is
realized through handling large quantities at the least possible
expense, 150 tons per day by this plant during the past year yield-
ing $130,000 — over $10,000 per month.
MILLIONS WON OR LOST IN MILL TAILINGS.
The only other cyanide plant on the river than the Eureka is the
Nevada Reduction Works, six miles below, near Dayton, at the mouth
12006—01 11
162
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
of Gold Canyon, working botlj ore and tailings by the cyanide process,
the ore being principally from the gold veins of Silver City, and the
tailings from the river-side deposits and its own ore reduction. The
two cyanide plants at Silver City and the two in Six Mile Canj^on
work Comstock tailings, like the ore over in Washoe Valle}^, near
Galena Creek.
The workings of all these cyanide plants combined give an aggre-
gate yield for the year 1900 of $294,000, which, added to the entire
yield by calendar years from the commencement as given in tabular
form in last j^ear’s official report, makes the account stand as follows:
Tons.
Gross yield
or value.
To and including 1899.
2, 96.'), 350
112,750
$17,469,863. 16
294,000.00
For the year 1900.
Total
3,078,100
17,763,863. 16
In the earliest milling reductions of Comstock ore the principal
point was to secure all possible of the precious metals through the
mill batteries, amalgamating pans, and settlers without much heed as
to the large percentage that passed away in the tailings down the
canyons toward Carson River. After a while, however, it came to be
considered profitable to use blanket sluices, riffles, and other devices
to catch the escaping rich sulphurets, as well as quicksilver and amal-
gam, and restraining dams and reservoirs were constructed at favor-
able points along down the two can^mns and the sides of the river to
catch the tailings, as Avell as the rich chloride slums or settlings.
Winter fioods at times swept away these dams and their accumulations,
and from the percentages saved from the tonnage of oi-e worked it has
been estimated that not less than $(50,000,000 was thus lost in the long,
erratic bed and sand fiats of Carson River. Attemx)ts to recover some
of those straj" millions b}^ dredging and otherwise have been onl}^ suc-
cessful in establishing the truthfulness of the xR’oposition, also the
futility or unprofitableness of their attemi^ted rescue.
GRAND BULLION RECORD.
The most practically comxirehensive illustration of the grand gold
and silver iiroduction of the Comstock lode during the 40 years since
discovery, and through its fluctuating jjeriods of Avonderful bullion
prosperity down to its present condition of coinjiaratiAm adversity,
can only be axqireciatively given in the rexAroduction of the accomxja-
nying tabular statement, R. It was originally xu‘ex)ared and x^nb-
lished, under Government ausxiices and direction, in 1887, has been
added to occasionally since, as desired, and is now again x^i’esented,
carefully revised and brought iqi to date. It is resx^onsibl}" comxiiled
fi-om the most correct and authentic sources x^ossible to be found.
The statistics of the very earliest years hvere necessarily derived
from the original locators and ore x>i’oducers, corroborated and sub-
stantiated through data furnished 1)3^ the first mill men, also the rec-
ords of Wells, Fargo & Co.’s Exxiress, subsequent!}^ from county"
assessors’ I’ecoi’ds, and from the records of the mining comxianies
themselves, thus fonningthe onl}^ comxilete, legitimate, and most sub-
stantially correct, statement of the munificent XR’Ccious metal }deld of
the Comstock lode }"et comxiiled and x^ablislied.
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
1G3
B.— Comstock Total Gold and Silver Production, from Discovery and
Commencement, by Calendar Years to Date.
Years.
Ore (tons).
Gold.
Sil ver.
Total.
1859
$.‘30, (KM). 00
$:30 (H)() (K)
18tK) -
10, (KK)
550, (KK). 00
|2(K),0(K).(M)
750, (KM). (K)
I8t!l - -
140, 000
2,5(K),(KK).00
1,000,(KK).(K)
3,.500,(KK).(K)
ISfK
250, (KM)
4, 6.50, (KK). 00
2, 3.50, (KK), (K)
7,(KK),(K)0.()()
-
450, (KK)
4, 940, 000. (K)
7,460,(KK).(K1
12,400,0(K). 00
18ti4
(«(), 450
6,4(K), (KK).(Kl
9.6(K),(MK).(K)
16,0(K),(KH).(K)
18«5
430,745
6, 1:5:3,488. (K)
9, 7(K), 232. (K)
15, 833, 720. (K)
I8(j(i
640, 282
5,963, 1.5)S.(K)
8, 944. 7:57. (K)
14, 907, 895. 00
1867
462, 176
5, 495, 44:5. 20
8,24:5,164.80
13,7:58, 608. (H)
1868 - -
300, 560
3,:391,907.(5()
5,().H7,861.40
8,479,769.00
279, 584
2, 962,231.20
4, 443, 346. .80
7, 405, ,578. 00
1870
2)38, 967
3,481,7:50. 16
.5, 322, .59.5. 21
8, 704, 325. 40
1871
409, 718
4,099,811.46
6, 149,717.19
10, 249, .528. 65
1873
384, 668
4, 894, ,559. 86
7,341,839.79
12, 256,399.65
1873
448,301
8, 668, 79:5. 40
13, (K)3, 187. 13
21, 671, 980. .53
1874
536, 743
8,9iK),714.06
13,486,071.09
22, 476, 785. 15
1875
546,425
10,330,208.62
15, 495, 312. 92
25, 835, .521. .54
1876
598,818
12,647,464.08
18,971,19)U2
31, 618, 660. 20
1877
562, 519
14, .520, 614. 68
21,780,922.02
36,301,536.70
1878
272, 909
7, 864,. 5.57. 64
11, 796, 8:36. 47
19,661,394.11
1879
178,276
2, 801,. 394. 33
4,202,091,49
7,003,485.82
1880
172, 399
2,0.51,606.00
3, 077, 409. 00
5,129, 01,5.00
1881
76, 049
430,248.00
645,372.00
1, 075, 6,20. 00
1882
90, 181
697,385.60
1,046, 078.40
1,74.3,464.00
1883
125,914
802, .539. .54
1,203,809.29
2,006,348.83
1884
188, 369
1,261,313.60
1,. 577, 438. 40
2,838,7.52 00
1885
226, 147
1,739,531.25
1.41.5, 071.04
3,144, 602.29
1886
238, 780
2,054,920.15
1,681,298.31
3, 736, 218. 46
1887
221,682
2,481,176.85
2,030,0.53.78
4, 511, 230. 6)3
1888
271, 1.53
3,169,209.07
4, 4.58, 0.58. 66
7,637,267.73
1889...
286, 144
2, 590, 973. 33
3,358,949.95
5,949.923.27
1890...
286,075
1,992,:349,03
2,988,523.56
4, 980, 872. 59
1891
188, 647
1, 2S0, 857. 02
2,071,28.5.53
3, 453, 142. .55
1893
1:33,678
1,043,1.58.86
1,130,088.77
2, 173,247.63
1893 ...
109, 780
1,1,23,363.54
748,841.70
1,872.104.24
1894
97, 049
768,880.63
512, ,587. 09
1,281,467.73
1895
63, 558
548, 873. 68
36.5,91,5.79
914, 789. 47
1896
39,240
340,2.53.36
2.26, 8.35. ,57
567,088.93
1897 ...
17, 8.50
2;13,808.6:3
149,205.76
373,014.39
1898....
10, 766
123, 023. 89
83,01.5.93
205,039.81
1899
6.780
103,006.74
68,671.16
171,677.90
1900
25,300
381,423.56
319,441.70
700,865.26
Total
10,698,681
146,613,877.61
203,636,062.84
3.50,249,940.45
Total mill tailings added
17, 763, 863. 16
Grand total
368,013,803.61
EXPLANATORY AND SUPPLEMENTAL.
The relative proportions of gold and silver given in tlie foregoing
table show that the first year, or few months’ limited production —
$30,000 — was all gold. The second year, when the first mills got in
their competent ore-reduction work, silver entered largely into the
bullion product, yet silver did not predominate over gold until the
fifth year — 1863. During the j^ears of greatest production silver
ruled the hearts of the bonanzas, about 60 per cent as against 40 per
cent gold; but as those famous rich bonanzas jiassed away theii
leavings or lower grade outskirts ran into gold predominance again.
This was in 1885, and gold has held chief sway ever since.
And let it also be understood that although this statement, com-
piled from the most authentic and legitimate sources and records
obtainable, places the total bullion product at $368,013,803.61, j^et
there are other figures privately recorded, or not recorded at all in
the flush, high-rolling times, when bonanzas were new and frequent,
and the monthly bullion output was reckoned by millions. Non-
obtainable figures, but read between the lines by all old-timers con-
versant with the liberal, wealth-seeking methods of those halcyon
164
PEECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
days in niiiiing and milling manipulations, surreiititious contracts
quietly let at nominal rates by company officials to favored friends,
silent partners, etc., including also some very lucrative leases of
choice bits of niiniug ground, resulting in sundry multi-millionaires
on the side; all of which considerations easily xiut tlie summing up of
the honest product at more than $400,000,000; in fact, many com-
petent judges agree in placing the squarely legitimate gold and silver
yield of the Comstock lode at more than $500,000,000.
PRESENT AND FUTURE IMPROVEMENT PROPOSITIONS.
AVhen deejiest mining exx)lorations (3,300 feet below tlie surface)
were finally abandoned in 1886, a return to the old upper workings
above the Sutro tunnel level brouglit renewed prosperity for a few
years, or until about 1895, when the declining annual yield fell lielow
the million mark. Last year — 1899 — was the poorest of all, about
$172,000. This was owing to scarcity of xiaying ore in sight anywhere
and a hopeful renewal of jireparations for develoiiing other and more
eligible dex>osits. As a result the yield for the present yeai- — 1900 —
shows much better, looking uj) toward the million mark again, owing
to deeiier exfilorations and increased mining activity xiroducing
more good pay ore.
This imx)rovement in the situation is x)rincipally due to the Consoli-
dated California and Virginia Company nnwatering some of their sub-
merged old working levels bj^ means of the hjnlraulic xnimxi, enabling
them to get at and follow a rich downward leader from their famous
old bonanza above the Sutro tunnel. It still yields well from the 2,150
level, also from the other drained levels and stox)es above, and as the
water is still more reduced it will be followed, even though it should
lead to another big bonanza. Other mines are actively exxiloring to a
lesser but encouraging degree of success.
The several ponderous and xiowerful hoisting and pumping steam
machinery xdants of the chief mining conqianies, originall}" costing
$500,000, $750,000, or more apiece, have become old, obsolete, disman-
tled, sold, and electric, ux^-to-date machineiy of greater x^ower and
efficiency is being substituted and installed in their x)lace at comxiara-
tively a mere trifle of their original cost. For instance, the electric-
hoist x>lnnt of the Union Consolidated mine cost onl}^ about $10,000;
Yellow Jacket, and Belcher, $12,000 each, and that at the C. <fc C.
shaft of tlie Consolidated California and Virginia, the most x>i’oductive
mine of tlie lode, $16,000. The xiowerful hydraulic X)nmx3 at the 1,750
station of this shaft is soon to be suxierseded by an electric “elevator”
of much greater x^ower and efficienc}^ followed later on by others at
advantageous xioints along the lode.
ELECTRICITY SUPPLANTS STEAM IN COMSTOCK MINING.
The following summarized details of X)iogressive oxierations inci-
dental to f he introduction and x>i’uctical axiplication of electric xiower
in the xn*esent and future workings of the mines of the Comstock lode
are substantially obtained from Leon M. Hall, consulting engineer of
the Trnckee River General Electric Comxian}^ who personally sux)er-
intends the furnishing, under contract, of the aforesaid x^ower gener-
ated by their great plant at Floriston, on the Trnckee Riv'er, 23 miles
above Reno and 33 miles from Virginia City, the installment of the
machinerv, etc. :
t/ f
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
1G5
Sierra Nevada mine {old shaft). — One 20-liorsepower, variable speed
motor on electric hoist. Works and mine lighted with imtandescent
lamps.
Union Consolidated shaft. — One 100-horsepower variable speed
motor, with balanced electric hoist. Rope or cable, speed 750 feet
j)er minute, not yet in running operation. One 50-liorsepower con-
stant speed motor, driving a No. 4 Burleigh air compressor; one 50-
horsepower constant speed motor, driving saws. Works lighted with
arc and incandescent lamps.
Ophir mine. — One 3-horsepower constant speed motor, dilving fan
in central tunnel; one 5-horsepower constant speed motor, driving
fan in 1,750 level mine. Works and residence of the superintendent
lighted with incandescent lamps.
Consolidated, California and Virginia Company, C. & C. shaft. —
One 200-horsepower variable speed motor on balanced electric hoist;
roxie speed 1,250 feet per minute, not yet running. One 100-horsepower
constant speed motor, driving single stage Rand & Waring air com-
pressor. Five constant speed motors, 30, 15, 10, 10, and 10 horsepower,
respectively, driving saws, machine tools, and rock-breakers; also a
fan in the 1,850 level and another on the 1,050 level. Mine, office,
residence, and works full}^ lighted with arc and incandescent lights.
Best & Belcher, Savage, and. Gould & Curry mines. — Operating,
jointly, a 5-horsepower motor, driving fan in Curry mine tunnel. The
three mines lighted throughout with incandescent lamps.
Gould & Curry mill. — Three 20-horsepower constant speed motors,
driving nine Kinkead gyratory grinders and a rock breaker. Three
5-horsepower constant speed motors, driving ore concentrators. Mill
lighted with incandescent lamps.
Chollar and Potosi. — One 30 and one 5 horsepower constant-speed
motors, respectively, driving saws and a fan in upper tunnel. Mine
and works lighted with incandescent lamps.
Hale & N or cross. — Fifteen horseiiower constant-speed motor,
driving fan in the II. & N. tunnel. Tunnel and works lighted with
incandescent lamps.
Yellow Jacket. — One 75-horsepower variable-speed motor on bal-
anced electric hoist; rope sliced, 600 feet per minute. One 75-horse-
powei* constant-speed motor, driving duplex tandem compound Rix
air compressor; one 30 and one 10 horsepower constant-speed motors,
driving saws and machine tools. Works Avell lighted with arc and
incandescent lamps.
Belcher. — One 75-horsepower variable-speed motor on balanced elec-
ti'ic hoist; I'ope speed, 600 feet per minute. One 30 and a 1 horse-
power constant-speed motor, respectiv’ely, driving saws and a fan in
the ])lacksniith shop. Works full}^ lighted throughout with arc and
incandescent lamixs.
Taylofs Mill, Silver City. — Huntington crusher, 35 tons daily
capacity. One 50-horsepower constant-speed motor. Mill electric-
ally lighted.
JacJcsoii’s Mill, Silver City. — Ten stamps, old style; 25 tons daily
capacity; 30-horsepower constant-speed motor. Fitted to work both
oi*e and mill tailings by cyanide process.
Virginia City, Gold Hill, and Silver City. — All three lighted from
Floi’iston circuit. Telephone circuit from substation at Virginia to
the Gould A; Cuny Mill, Yellow .Tacket and Belcher mines; also con-
nects with power house at Floriston.
166
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
RELATIVE COST OF ELECTRIC AND STEAM POWER.
The cost of power furnished as per contract with the Truckee River
General Electric Company is $7 per horsepower, based upon a con-
tinuous service and a two-ininute peak load. In cases of such continu-
ous service this shows an actual saving of 200 i^er cent. That is, the
former rate for steam i^ower was never less than 121 i:>er horsepower.
way of illustration, tiie Consolidated California and Virginia air
compressor is using 96 horsepower, at $7, amounting to $672 per month;
former cost was about $1,700 per month. The Yellow .Tacket air com-
pressor is using 80 horsepower, at $7, amounting to $560 i^er inontli ;
former cost for tlie same service was $1,500 per month.
Tliese former costs were for wood and water to generate steam, cost
of repairs to boilers, etc. It will be seen, therefore, that while the
mining companies are i^aying for 1,000 horsepower, the cost upon tliis
basis is much less than the mines could be run for liy steam. Wlien
tlie i^umping is done by electric power tlie cost will be much reduced,
with higher working efficiency tlian the hydraulic pump or elevator
now in use and more than equalize the rate paid per horsepower.
THE GREAT ELECTRIC PLANT ON TRUCKEE RIVER.
The company’s great power plant at Floriston consists of 8,600 feet
of flume, 6^ feet deep and 10 feet wide, of capacity to deliver 300 cubic
feet of water j^er second ; two wooden stovepipe lines, 6 feet in diame-
ter, from head gates to wheel casings; two 54-incli McCormick tur-
bine water wheels; two kilowatt^ Westinghouse generators; six 300-
kilowatt transformers, from 400 to 2,400 volts, and the necessary
exciter wlieels, switches, and lightning arresters.
The conducting line from Floriston to Virginia City, 33 miles, con-
sists of a double 6-wire circuit of No. 4 hard-drawn copper wire, 1-inch
in diameter, on glass insulators and 35-foot redwood jioles.
Tlie substation at Virginia City is supplied with six 220-kilowatt
transforlners, 24,000 to 2,300 volts reduction, with requisite switches
and lightning ari’esters. The distribution circuit consists of weather-
I)roof copper wire carried to eacli of tlie mining works that are
equii^ped with electric machinery.
DIFFERENCE IN EXPENSE AND PRACTICAL EFFICIENCY.
This only imrtially completed electric service since installation has
been continuous and satisfactory in every possible way, and in no
case has a return or resort to steam power been even thought of or
considered for a moment. The installation of electric pumps in the
C. & C. shaft and also in the Gold Hill mines is under contemplation;
also electric hoisting appai-atus at the Forman shaft. The hydraulic
pump in the C. & 0. shaft has unwatered that mine from the 1,750-foot,
oi‘ pump station, to a point 30 feet below the 2,150-foot level station,
discharging at times over 5,000 gallons a minute out through the drain
boxes of the Suti-o Tunnel. After the electric luimp is installed at
the 2,150-foot station the water will be reduced to the 2,500-foot sta-
tion, 2,500 feet below tlie surface, in order to get at some streaks or
deposits of good ore submerged in that part of the mine; also enabling
adjoining mines di’ained by it to resume deeper explorations.
Watt, unit of electric power; Icilo, 1,000 units.
ELECTRIC POWER HOUSE, TRUCKEE RIVER.
SnpiihuitiiiK ,'^tc'ani power in working the Comstock mines, 83 miles distant. (Jeneral outside view of the ])lant.
ELECTRIC POWER HOUSE, TRUCKEE RIVER.
Interior view of the plant, .showing generators, exciters, transformer.s, etc.
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
167
ELECTRIC WORKING SUCCESS.
The first practical working introduction of this electric power' to
the Comstock lode was on October 20, at the new ore-reduction mill
of the Gould & Curry IMining Company, constructed at the moutli of
their lower tunnel. It operated veiy satisfactorily for nearly two
months, running on low-grade ore, when milling was suspended for
certain repairs and alterations found necessary to tlie tunnel, giving
better facilities for more extensive ore extraction.
The Yellow .Tacket shaft electric lioist, duly installed and success-
fully running, has a capacity of 500 tons per day from the 1,200-foot
level, at a cost of $5(50 per month for power. The same service with
steam formerly cost $3,000 per month. This hoist now makes the
trip from the 1,200-foot level with double-deck cage, laden with 3,200
pounds of rock, in exactly two minutes. The balanced or tail-rope
S3"stem is used, wliich method assures the aforesaid remarkable
capacity with a 75-horsepower motor. This hoist is just as reliable
as steam and is much more convenient and easily handled.
Tlie Union, C. <fc C., and Best & Belcher shaft hoists, now under
construction, will soon be completed, making their new Comstock
second in extended facilities for important mine explorations and ore
and bullion production.
PRESENT CONCLUSIONS AND FUTURE PROSPECTS.
There is practically no limit to the electric-power suppl}- and the
great Comstock ore channel is wide, deep, and unlimited in its ore
possibilities. When the old steam machinery plants of the producing
section shall be completel}^ done away with and superseded by the new
electric power, with the long-submerged lower levels easily" drained
and kept drained, mining and operating expenses reduced to proper
conformity with the resources and the times, hundreds more miners
will find steady employment developing old and newl}^ found deposits
of good pajdng ore, and a healthy era of renewed prosperity will come
to the Comstock lode.
NEW MEXICO.
By J. L. Hodges,
Assayer in Charge, United States Mint, Denver, Colo.
The mining industry of New Mexico is attracting renewed attention,
after a depression of some years, due to several causes.
The low price of silver since the repeal of the purchasing danse of
the Sherman Act made large areas of low-grade silver ores unprofitable
of operation, the more so that the experimental treatment stage had
not been passed and railroad facilities were conspicnons in their
absence.
LAND GRANTS.
The old land grants, within whose boundaries are included some of
the important mining districts, found their exact hues and titles sub-
jects of dispute and litigation, and being unable to pass unquestioned
title to operators, mining claims thereon were unattractive and the
work desultory to a degree. But decisions of the highest courts hav-
ing definitely affirmed official surveys of these great grants, absolutely
unassailable property rights to claims thereon are now guaranteed
and Federal titles granted to locations complying with the require-
ments of the land offices on those portions of the grant found to be
proper part of the Government domain.
The land-grant comi^anies since these decisions are offering liberal
inducements to bona fide prospectors and organized capital, as is evi-
denced 1)3^ the important mining operations in the wa}^ of production
or development upon these tracts during the past j^ear.
RAILWAY NECESSITIES.
To some extent railwa^^ interest in the Territory’s mining future
lias been stimulated and spui’s and equipment long needed supplied
or promised; but much consti'uction of this character will be required
ere the various camps even approximate tlieir possible outjiut.
THE INEVITABLE PROMOTER.
An intelligent exploitation of ore bodies has been sadl}^ lacking in
many sections, and dismantled and decaying mills and smelting xilants
empliasize l.lie pi’overbial credulity of earl}^ investors, which found
harvest in New Mc^xico, as in better known mining centers, under the
tutelage of evanescent promoters.
It is agreeable to noti^ that this distressing though apparentlj^ inevi-
table iihase has about run its coui'se in New Mexico. Competent min-
ing engineers and metallurgists are in the field, and tlie able corps of
''1’ei‘ritorial officers, b}- v^oj'd and jianijihlet, are extending valuable
counsel to inquii'ing capitalists.
168
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
169
LOGICAL EXPENDITURES.
Large araonnts liave been expended thronghont the Territory during
1900 in tlie erection of xilants whose adaiitability to tlie ore bodies has
been positively demonstrated, and j)ix)ing enterjirises on extensive
scale have brought now life to mining acreage formerly abandoned
because of scant or total absence of water snpx)l3^ Much remains to
be done in this line.
FROM COLORADO SOUTH.
The conspicuous iiosition of Colorado in the mining world has also
materiall}^ militated against the mining advance of its southern neigh-
bor, but, with the passage of sensational discoveries in t he Centennial
State, its overflow of prosx>ectors and capital, together with Eastern
money for investment, have discovered New Mexico an inviting field
of exiiloitation.
BRIGHT FUTURE IN COPPER.
In coxiper xierhaps the future of this Territoiy is brightest. Impor-
tant zones of cox^per-bearing ores are being intelligently develoxied
b}^ comxirehensive modern systems, and the heavy exxienditures for
machinery, etc., in these copper regions guarantee earnest and sus-
tained efforts toward its production. The smelters at El Paso and
Silver City are found convenient xioints of market, while Pueblo and
Eastern x^lants receive a quota.
BERNALILLO COUNTY.
Bland is the commercial center of the Cochiti district and is reached
b}’ stage from Thornton, a point on the main line of the Santa Fe Rail-
way, 18 miles distant. A large electric x^hint has been comx^leted at
Madrid, in Santa Fe County, to sux)X)ly x^ower and light to the Bland
district.
The Cochiti Mining Company has been the x^Lincipal operator during
the year. The Lone Star has a vein of good sulxihides running perpen-
dicularly ux> the mountain and will erect a new mill of large caxiacity.
The Albemarle, 3 miles from Bland, across the mountain, has ox^erated
extensively.
During the year the Washington has been in litigation.
The Crow Plant is a XR’omising xiroperty, and a number of others
augur Avell with imxu'oved facilities for operation.
The W oodbury mill, destroyed b}^ fire, has been replaced by a modern
cyanide xilfuit of 1 0 tanks.
This district of Cochiti embraces a great low^-grade area and is espe-
ciallj' alluring to seasoned oxierators. It has xiassed the exxierimental
stage, and cyanide and other xdantswill shortl}^ abundantly able
to encourage the tonnage.
The groat drawback to the camx)’s advance is water scarcity and
delay of the Santa Fe Raibnad in building to the district. A custom
mill is imx)erativel3" needed at some convenient point on the Rio Grande
River, at a possible distance of 12 or 15 miles.
Desultoiy work has been done at other Bernalillo County districts —
Hell Canyon, Coyote Canjmn, and Las Placitas.
Good cox^xier deposits exist at Coxiper City and San Isidro, but t heir
distance from railroad discourages oxjerators. Abundant capital could
work them x^rofitabl}^
170
PRECIOUS METALS IK THE UNITED STATES.
DONNA ANA COUNTY.
Tlie Torpedo is in good copper ore, and the Excelsior lias produced
somewhat.
The Modoc outputs considerable lead.
Bear Canyon mines have shown good bodies of lead and copper ore.
Tlie San Andreas liigh-grade copper deiiosits have been shipped to
El Paso.
GRANT COUNTY.
Grant County is still the banner mining count}’' of the Territory.
The Pinos Altos Gold Mining Compan3’^’s properties have worked
steadily, the outinit reaching a valuation of 1267,532.43. This com-
pany is owned and financed by the Hearst estate, of California. It
has expended a large amount of money in perfecting its milling plants
and establishing a pipe line some 8 miles long, which conveys an ade-
quate supply of water from Gebhardt Springs.
The Pinos Altos ores from vein surface were oxidized, free-milling,
but at depth the sulphuretted ores were encountered, which offered
serious obstacles to the gold amalgamation for a period. Improved
processes were installed and the ores are now treated by amalgama-
tion and concentration of tailings, the concentrates going to smelter
at Silver City, which on February 15, 1900, passed under the control
of the American Smelting and Refining Company.
The Hearst properties were the onl}^ important producers of the
year, although some development was done by other parties. The
deepest shaft in the district is about 1,000 feet. The ore body is con-
tinuous, although the vein varies from several inches to 4 and 5 feet
in width, the gold value averaging about an ounce to the ton.
The large Hearst mill is equipped with modern machinery and com-
plete detail.
OTHER GRANT COUNTY DISTRICTS.
In the Hanover district the Modoc, Humboldt, and Hanover proper-
ties are copper producers. Important iron shipments are made by the
Colorado Fuel and Iron Company.
SANTA RITA COPPER MINES.
The copper mines at Santa Rita show signal improvement. The
area of copper ground is fully a mile square, tlie ore averaging 20 per
cent coppei*, and portions were worked by tlie Spaniards from the
early part of last ceiitiiiy. Old dumps at the mines cover hundreds
of acres, indicating extent of operations. A large plant is in course of
eriiction.
At Central a concentrating mill nears completion. The ores carry
lead, silver, and gold.
At Chloride Flat and Alhambra the silver mines are not working.
Lead ore of good grade has been shipped from Victoria.
At Steins Fass, Volcano, Granite Gap, and Hachita little was done
during the year on the lead-silver [iroperties.
Some gold was produced at Gold Hill and copper at Paschal.
Considerable low grade awaits the introduction of proper plants for
treatment.
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
171
Silver City is the cliief distributing’ point for Grant County. It is
a tliriving, Avell-bnilt town, at an elevation of 0,021 feet.
LINCOLN COUNTY.
’'J’'lie mineral belt of Lincoln Comity extends from Gallinas Mountain
on the north to White JVIonntain on south — over 80 miles. The
al)senee of railroads has militated severely against the mining industry
of the county until recently, bnt the extension of the El Ihiso North-
eastern Railroad has proven a wonderful stimnlns, and other pro-
jected construction will materially benefit the county.
The Old Abe, of White Oaks district, is the principal gold producer.
Its main shaft is be3"ond 1,200 feet, and dry. An ample cjTinide plant
handles the mill tailings.
An encouraging strike of good mineral was recorded bj^ the Com-
promise.
The Ilomestake shafts are good and the workings profitable. Among
promising properties are the Rip Van Winkle, Little Mack, and Lad^^
Godiva.
Copper discoveries with excellent indications were made during the
year.
Large tracts of coal and iron have been taken np during the 3^ear bj^
the Bethlehem Iron Compan}^ and other well-known concerns.
JICARILLO TLACERR.
The Jicarillo placers, 12 miles northeast of White Oaks, have suf-
fered from limited supply of water, bnt the American Placer Companj^,
which has acquired them, is arranging for an adequate flow, probably
from the Capitan Mountains. This placer gold is coarse and of high
grade.
In the Gallinas Mountains are prospects canying copper sulphides
and carbonates, also lead carbonates and galena. Their great distance
from shipping point would entail unusual expense and has almost pro-
hibited production.
Much low grade distinguishes the Nogal district.
SANTA EE COUNTY.
The .smelter at Cerrillos at close of the j^ear was preparing to start up.
The Woodwortii mill, near Golden, has been completed.
At San Pedro the copper smelter is working and the Santa Fe cop-
per pi’operties looking well.
Gold in fair quantity was washed and mined fi*om the San Pedro
and Golden di.stricts during the year.
EDISON ELECTRIC PLACER SYSTEM.
The Edison Companj^ has operated an experimental plant at Dolores
for some months, treating the diy placer gravel and sand electricall}",
Init to what extent, if anjq values have been extracted remains a pro-
found secret, although it is confidentty asserted that this company is
about to erect a plant of heavy capacity on the ground.
Near Cerrillos silver-bearing lead and zinc ore are receiving atten-
tion, and the Tiffany turquoise mines have yielded heavil.y; the
product is of excellent quality. 'Uhe O’Neill turquoi.se property has
also produced, when worked, iu fair measure.
172
PEECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
SIERRA COUNTY.
The Hillsboro district has experienced an active twelve month. The
Philadelphia Milling and Mining Company, under which are grouped
the W. II. Andrews properties, iiroducing steadily, notably the Trippe.
The Porter properties have also shown excellently, and been con-
siderably develoiied.
Amalgamation and concentration are the ruling processes of this
district.
SOCORRO COUNTY.
Some work occurred in the Mogollon district, notabl}^ the produc-
tion of the Helen, while the W. H. Martin propert}^, and others, at
Rosedale, yielded gold in xirofitable quantity. The ore is free milling,
and tailings are concentrated.
Magdalena’s silver-lead mines have been comparatively quiet.
The old Graphic mine, in the Kelly district, has yielded, not largely,
some lead carbonates and galena.
Gold.
Silver.
Total
value.
Lead.
Copper.
County.
Value.
Coinage
value.
Commercial
value.
Commercial
value.
Bernalillo
$318,259
32,277
2,873
413,704
289
2,593
45, 549
37,991
72,183
58,370
$140,870
2,116
8,426
298,926
699
29
63, 960
143,373
603
25,753
$359, 135
34,393
11,299
712,630
988
2,622
109,509
181,364
73,786
84, 122
$814
498
118,612
1,083,340
13,6(51
Colfax
Donna Ana
$7,649
159,076
274
Grant
Eddy
Santa Fe
Socorro
28,2.52
111,178
139
135,054
10, 782
1,354
Sierra
Lincoln
Unknown
Total
884,088
684, 760
1,568,848
306, 568
1,364, 115
SOURCE OF PRODUCT.
Gold: Fine ounces.
From quartz 39, 140
From xdacer 3,628
Total.,. 42,768
Silver:
From quartz 139, 619
From lead ores 90,000
From copper ores 300, 000
Total 529,619
OREGON.
By Frederick A. Wing,
jissayer in charge United States assay office, Seattle, Wash.
The vGiliies of tlie gold, silver, copper, and lead produced in the
State of Oregxm during the year 1900 amoiinted to $1,900,175.41,
Production of Precious Metals in the State of Oregon during the
Year 1900.
Metal.
Qtiantit5'’.
Value.
Gold.
Silver
Copper, at $16.19 per cwt
Lead, at $4.37 per cwt
fine ounces..
fine pounds..
83,586.781
132, 042. 07
21, 101
94, 874
$1,727,892. 11
a 170, 721. 06
3,416.25
4, 145. 99
Total
1,906,175.41
Coinage value.
A reference to the api:>ended table shows the net increase to be
$239,402.94 over the production of 1899.
Production of Precious Metals in Oregon during Year 1900 Compared
WITH that of 1899.
Metal.
1899.
1900.
Quantity.
Value.
Quantity.
Vahie.
Gold fine ounces..
Silver do —
Copper fine pounds..
Lead do —
Total .
70,984.436
145,353.51
43, 178
86,320
$1,467,378.52
187,931.80
7,603.65
3,858.50
83, 586. 781
132, 042. 07
21.101
94, 874
,$1,727,892. 11
170,721.06
3,416.25
4, 145.99
1,666,772.47
1,906,175.41
239, 402. 94
irirrftaRA ...
Owing to the failure of the mine owners and operators in many
instances to answer interrogatories sent them regarding the produc-
tion and general development of their properties, it is impossible for
me to classify, by counties, the output of the State.
The counties known to be contributing materially to the State’s pro-
duction are Baker, Grant, Union, Malheur, Wallowa, and Wheeler, in
tlie northeast, and Josephine, Jackson, Coos, Curry, Douglas, and Lane,
in the southwest. Baker County enjoys the distinction of being the
largest gold-producing county in the State, Grant County the largest
lead and silver, and Josephine the largest copper-producing county.
BAKER COUNTY.
Sumpter easily holds the proud distinction of being the leading min-
ing center of Oregon. With its valuable placer mines within the city
limits and its many surrounding bills constantly yielding to the prac-
173
174
PEECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
tical and energetic mine owner tlieir treasures, inucli of tlie State’s
output conies from ANutliin a radius of a few miles of the thrisdng little
city of Sumpter itself. Directly north, hidden only by the lofty hill-
tops, and almost within hailing distance, are the mills of the Noidh
Pole, E and E, Columbia, and Golconda, all busily pounding away
with their many stamps at a ledge that seems almost inexhaustible in
its widlii and of great depth. In many jdaces the workings arc now
down hundreds of feet, thoroughly establishing the fact that the veins
continue far below. In all directions new properties are being pros-
pected, and there is a general appearance of thrift on all sides.
Extension of both rail and wagon roads are being j)ushed forward
into the adjoining districts of Granite and Bonanza to the Avest, aud
on to the Quartzburg district still farther south and Avest, opening iij)
a country rich in mineral Avealth and timber.
The nunes in this county reporting their production for 1900 are
the French Gulcli Placer mine and the Sam Long Placer mine, both
in Auburn district; the Gold Ridge mine, near Express; Eagle group
of mines, in the Cable Cove district (lead producers) ; Chicken Creek
Placer mines, in Chicken Creek district; Flick Bar Placer mine, in
Baker district; the Clarke Creek Placer mine, in Bridgeport district;
Baisley-Elkhorn mine, in the Baisley-Elkhorn district; the North
Pole mine, in the Cracker Creek district, and the Mammoth mine,
in the Ibex district. Besides these there are many other mines that
are knoAvn to be producers, such as the Virtue Consolidated, Mormon
Boy, Consolidated Virginia, Never SAA^eat, Rye Valley Placer, and the
Columbia mine.
The Columbia mine, neai‘ Sumpter, is one of the largest producers in
the State, being deA^eloped to a depth of 1,050 feet, and at the 500-foot
level there is a pumping station Avith a capacity of 800 gallons per
minute. The mine is furnished Avith the necessary Avater poAA^er, has
2 drill air compressors, one 20-stamp mill, sinking machinery capable
of a depth of 1,350 feet, and 17 concentrators for rediicinu' the ores.
GRANT COUNTY.
The folloAving mines reported as producing in 1 900 : Caledonia mine,
J^yz mine, llumbold mine, in Big Creek district; Elk Creek mines,
Susanville district; Quartz Gulch mine, MarysAulle district; Bald
iVIountain mine, in the Ibex district; this mine has a 20-stamx) mill in
operation; Black Butte mine and the Red Boy, in the Granite district.
The Red Boy mine is one of the best-equijAxied mines in the State. It
is developed to the 500-foot level, and, including the AA^orkings of the
old mine, has nearly 8,000 feet of tunneling and crosscutting. The
mine is furnished Avith a 20-stamp mill, electric-light x)lant, and
cyaniding x)lant for treating concentrates. Sinking machinery of a
caxiacity of 3,000 feet depth Avas installed during the past year. The
total amount iiiA^ested to date in machinery and buildijigs aiiproximates
over 1200,000.
Adjoining the Red Boy on the Avest is the Concord, oAvned by Pendle-
ton and Sumpter i)cox)le, on which a great deal of deA^eloimient aatis
done, OA^er 2,000 feet of tunnels, crosscuts, etc., being coinjileted.
From present indications the jn-ospects are very faAX)rable for the jirox)-
erty being one of the x)roducers of the county in the near future.
Other iiroperties on Avhich development Avork has been done during
the year are the Quebec, Alamo, and Straslnirg. The Badger mine,
in the Susanville district, is a regular jiroducer. The ore from this
mine has to be hauled 45 miles for railroad transx)ortation.
PKECIOUS METALS IN 'JTIE UNITED STATES.
175
UNION COUNTY.
The Cormieopiji mines of Oregon are siluati'd al)oiil, 85 miles nortli-
east of Baker City, Oreg’., in what is known as Granite mining district,
and consist of 20 patented and 9 nnpatented claims.
The i)i‘incipal work accomplished thus far in the way of development
has been upon the Union, Clomi)anion, Red .lacket. Last enhance, and
Whitman claims, aggi'egating a total of 20,000 feet in shafts, cross-
cuts, tunnels, and drifts.
The linion. Companion, and Red Jacket claims are hx'ated on the
same vein, while the Last Chance and Whitman are on parallel veins
to the east and west, respectively.
The e(juipment of the property consists of a 20-stamp mill, with
necessary amalgamating and concentrating machineiy, and one 12-
drill and one G-drill air compressors and two hoisting engines, all of
which machineiy is driven by electricity, the initial power being water
taken from Pine Creek and used under a 310-foot head, furnishing 450
horsepower, the power being transmitted 2 miles to the mines.
The pi-operty has been worked, with a few intermissions, very suc-
cessfully for the last six j^ears, and the recent developments in the
deeper workings of the LTnion-Companion shaft would indicate a still
greater prosperity for the future. The mines rank easily among the
very best mining properties in the State. The ore from these mines is
a quartz gangue, carrying iron pyrites and some free gold. The gross
product of the mill at the present time in concentrates and bullion is
about $1,000 per day, with a reasonable probability of a still greater
production in the future. Much in the way of new appliances and
improved facilities has been added to the already large equixnnent,
and the group, under the capable management of Capt. Alliene Case,
together with Mr. Robert N. Jones and George D. Beatty, acting for
the Searles estate, owners, is rapidly assuming the position their
magnitude and importance entitles them to hold among the wealth-
producing mines of the State.
The producing mines in this count}^ reporting their output are the
Treadwell and Flying Dutchman, the Grande Ronde JMining Com-
pany’s properties, the Carson W oody mines, both in Grande Ronde
River district, and the Cornucopia mine at Cornucopia. Other pro-
ducing mines in the county are the Elk Creek Mining Company’s
mine at Cornucoiiia, the Sanger Development Company at Sanger,
Basin Mining Company, and the New Bridge Placer Mining Company.
MALHEUR COUNTY.
The producing mines in this county are the Malheur Placer mines.
Willow Creek placer; Red, White, and Blue mine; Gold Nugget,
Golden Eagle and White Chief, Eldorado Ditch Mining Company,
Rich Creek mines, and Colt Brotliers’ mine. Basin district. The
mining districts are all in the northern pai’t of the county.
Wallowa County contributed about $4,000 from the placers along
the Snake River.
Wheeler County yielded from its placers in the Spanish Gulch dis-
trict about $15,000 during the past year.
.JOSEPHINE COUNTY.
Josephine County is the ijrincipal contributor to the State’s pro-
duction in the southwestern portion of the State. Among the known
producing mines are Dry Diggins mine, in Dry Diggius district;
176
PKECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
Ruble IIjTlniiilic mine, Rogue River district; Red Dog mine, Briggs
Creek district; Golden Wedge Group, Golden mine, and Merrill mine,
Galice district; Champion Gold Mining Company (Rising Star mine),
Powell Creek placer mine, Alex. Watts mine, William district; Sailor
Gulch mine, Simmons & Cameron mine, and Waldo copper mine, in
Waldo mining district; Little Dandy mine, Victor Jr. Gold Mining
Company (Greenback mine), and Vindicator placer mine, in Grave
Creek district; the Mountain Slide placer mine, in Althouse district;
the Jupiter gold mine. Gold Bug mine. Rocky Gulch mine, and Treas-
ure Trove mine, at Grant Pass; Banner & Hazel mines and Sanders
placer mine. Wolf Creek district.
DOUGLAS AND LANE COUNTIES.
Near the central part of the Bohemia mining district, Avhich is sec-
ond to none in the State in importance, is located the Musick mine,
which has long been known as the ‘ ‘ Old Stand-B}^, ” from the fact that it
has been in continuous operation for many years, and is reputed to have
produced something like $700,000 since 1892. The development of
the mine consists of six levels, being run on the Musick ledge as per
the general section of the Musick mine, of about 4,000 feet of tunnels
and drifts. The course of the ledge at different xioints varies from
noi-th about 40° to 80° west, and lies almost xierdendicular. It is some-
what irregular in width, ranging from 1 foot to 16 feet between walls,
and has numerous branches. The ledges are made uj) of three x^arallel
veins, as was best shown on level No. 3, where the ledge was 12 feet
between walls. Oxidization extends to a deiith of about 100 to 150
feet, although there is a small percentage of sulphides above tliat
depth. Below the dexitli of 150 feet the ore changes and becomes
richer in pyrites, lead, coiixier, and sulx)hides. On level No. 6 the
ore is rich in galena, and in the west xiart of the drift is x>i'incixially
galena with cxuartz and sulxihides, and contains no free gold to sxieak
of. Some xiortions of the vein are x)rincix)ally cxuartz and other X3yrites.
At one x^oint sphalerite is abundant and constitutes the greater xior-
tion of the ledge. The ores canying the most lead go as high as 40
to 50 X3^i‘ cent. This is desirable, as a smelter Avill undoubtedly be
located in the cainxi ere long. Recent developments in level No. 6
show a ledge 0 feet Avide, running high in lead, 2 feet of it carrying
cox)X>or, x>yrites, and sulx3hides, values running to $160 x>er ton. The
group consists of the Defiance, Califoimia, White Guests, Mysteiy,
Alpharetta, Los Angeles, and Ajax, in Douglas County, and the But-
ter, June, Lhiho, Hazel, Yukon, and Halifax, in Lane County. In
X>rospecting with cuts, tunnels, and shafts the California ledge has
been traced for over 3,000 feet, showing free gold in many places, and
witli every evidence when ox)ened iqi of making as good a X3roducer as
the famous Musick ledge. So confident of the future are the owners
that they have about completed arrangements for the develoxunent of
tlie mine on a more extensive basis than has ever been done in the
X>ast. A drift on level with ore bin in mill has been started, and it is
tlie intention of tlie coniX)any to xiusli this drift on the ledge to great
dex)th, as fi’om numerous sliafts sunk on the ledge on the surface every
indication is that large bodies of free-milling ore will be opened ux3.
This valuable mine, as well as the Helena No. 1 and Helena No. 2,
are owned by Oregon caxiitalists, and tlie officers of the comx3any are
P. J. Jennings, xu’esident; Charles J. Brenau, vice-president; R. J.
Jennings, secretary and treasurer, and J. J. Jennings, suxierintendent,
PKEOIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
177
to wliolu I am indebted for their lieavty cooperation and assistance in
securing reliable data concerning the mines of southwestern Oi-egon.
Among the mines in these counties reporting as being producers in
1900 are the Olalla placer mine, in Olalla district; Lewis Ash i)lacer
mine and the Caius placer mines, in the Excelsior district; Coffee
Creek placer mine. Coffee Creek district; Starvout and Green Moun-
tain mines, owned by the Starvout Hydraulic Mining Company, in
Green Mountain district, and the Lucky Boy, in tlie Blue River
district.
The following gives, approximately^ the amount of development
work done in the way of tunneling for the year 1900 on various claims
iji Bohemia district: Champion mine, 400 feet; Helena, 1,000 feet, and
has a 10-stamp mill and 35-horsepower steam plant; Helena No. 2, 500
feet; Vesuvius, 1,100 feet; Musick, 1,000 feet, has a 10-stamp mill
and 45-horsepower steam plant; Harlow & Stocks mine, 500 feet, has
a 5-stamp mill; Star mine, 1,200 feet, has a 5-stamp mill; Whale, 500
feet; Montana Gold Mining Company, 900 feet; Bohemia, 100 feet;
]\lay flower, 400 feet; Gold Slipper, 500 feet; Riverside, 500 feet;
Shane mine, 300 feet. Besides, there are several hundred claims on
which about 4,000 feet of tunneling have been run.
JACKSON COUNTY.
The mines in this county reporting as having produced in 1900 are
the Lone Star mine and Sykes Creek mine, in Pleasant Creek district;
Willow Springs mine, in Willow Springs district; Dandy mine, in
Grave Creek district; the Scott mine. Gales Creek district; Steamboat
Gravel mine. Steamboat district; Hays mine and the Sardine placer
mine. Gold Hill district; Iron Mountain placer mine, Sams Creek dis-
trict; Reta group of mines. Sardine district; Cook mine. Foots Creek
district; Con Saxe Creek mines, Evans Creek district; Red Hill mine.
Upper Grave Creek district; Lost Channel mine. Jackass Creek dis-
trict; Sturgis placer mines. Forest Creek district, and Columbia mine,
Gales Creek district.
coos AND CURRY COUNTIES.
The production of these counties comes mostly from the placer
mines in the Sixes mining district, Johnson mining district, Randolph
and .Johnson Creek mining districts. Among those contributing to
the output of the State are the Pardee mine, in the Illinois district;
St. Patrick and Mountain Daisy idacers, in the Sixes district, and the
Salmon Mountain mine, in Salmon Creek district.
Production of Gold and Silver in Oregon (Origin Detailed) during
Calendar Year 1900.
Gold.
Silver.
Origin.
Fine ounces.
Value.
Fine ounces.
Coining
value.
Total value.
Placer bullion
15,268
$31.5,617.57
876, 361. 76
413. 44
3,560
$4,602.8:3
$:320,220.40
Mill bullion
Copper ores
42,394
20
30,296
39, 170. 59
915,532.35
413. 44
LeaJ ores
Dry ores and concentrates
classified as smelting ores ..
313. 500
6, 480. 62
52,374
67, 715. 88
74, 196. 50
2.5,591.281
529,018.72
45,812.07
59,2.31.76
.588,250.48
Total -
83, 586. 781
1,727,892.11
132,042,07
170,721.06
1,898,613.17
120(36—01
12
178
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
Bullion of Oregon Production Deposited at the United States Mints
AND Assay Offices during the Calendar Year 1900.
Institution.
Gold.
Silver.
Total value.
Standard
ounces.
Value.
Standard
ounces.
Coining
value.
Mints:
Philadelphia.
San Francisco
Assay offices:
Boise
Denver
Helena
Seattle
Total
70.310
8,841. 157
38,284.344
68. 066
1,086. 704
190.822
$1,308.26
164,542.45
712, 266. 86
1,229.13
20,217. 75
3,550.18
6.82
2,398.66
15,941.32
13.69
256. 26
58.31
$7.93
2,791.17
18,549.90
15. 93
298. 19
67.85
$1,316. 19
167,333.62
730,816.76
1,245.06
20,515.94
3,618.03
48,542.412
903,114.63
18,675.06
21, 730. 97
924,845.60
Disposition of G-old and Silver of Oregon Production during the
Calendar Year 1900.
Disposition.
Gold.
Silver.
Total value.
Pine ounces.
V alue.
Pine ounces.
Coining
value.
Deposited at the United
States min ts an d assay offices
Shijiped to custom smelters
and refineries by producers
Total
43,688.170
39, 898. 611
$903, 114. 6:3
824, 777. 48
16,807.55
115,234.52
$21, 730. 97
148, 990. 09
$924,845.60
973,767.57
83,586.781
1.727,892.11
132,042.07
170,721.06
1,898,613. 17
SOUTH APPALACHIAN STATES.
By W. S. Clanton,
Assayer in Charge of the United States Assay Of ice at Charlotte, N. C.
The production of precious metals in 1000, in this section, amounted
to 27,8-14.149 tine ounces, of coinin^i>' value of |>31G,033.20, against
$340,535.05 for 1899, a decreased $24,501.84. The comparison between
the two years is shown in the following table:
Table 1.— Summary.
state.
1899.
RKK).
Increase (-f )
or de-
crease ( — ).
Alabama
«4, 830. 7(5
117, 082. 70
S2, (»3. 07
125, 160. 26
393. 61
-$2,147.69
4- 7, 477. .56
Georgia
Marjuand
i;i76. M
47,861.94
100, 832. 2.5
177. 58
— ' 782. 5:5
North Carolina
60,0:39.33
1,‘23, 162. 96
311.75
-t- 12, 777. 39
South Carolina
- 37^669.29
Tennessee
-1- 134. 17
V*irginia
7,973.67
3,682.22
- 4,291.45
Total -
340,535.04
316, 033. 20
-24, 501.84
It will be observed that the decrease in Alabama, Maryland, South
Carolina, and Virginia was proportionately large; in Georgia there
was a slight increase; in North Carolina and Tennessee a relatively
large increase, the decrease or adverse balance amounting to a trifle
more than 7 per cent.
The total deposits at the various mints and assay offices of the
United States, officially reported to this office, amounted to $273,236.97,
being 86^ per cent of the total yield in coining rates and nearly 89
per cent at commercial rates.
My forecast in 1899 as to an increase in the amount of shij)X)ing ores
was fully verified; this increase Avas from the North Carolina and
Virginia belt, with Virgilina, Va., as its center, and from Rowan
County, N. C.
A classification according to immediate sources of i)roduction is
given in Table No. 2, with a summary and comx)arison in Table No. 3:
Table 2a. — Immediate Sources op Precious Metals Obtained in 1900.
["Coining values.]
State.
Placers.
Mills.
Works.
River mining.
Gold.
Silver.
Gold.
Silver.
Gold.
Silver.
Gold.
Silver.
$936. 45
19, 6.59. .52
186. 05
17,63:3. 15
6,324. 89
310. 3*i
1,934.23
$17. 60
135. 93
.74
219.20
78. 67
1.39
19.31
$1,273. 14
67,871.81
112. 59
1.5,922. 17
59,081. 16
$21.54
405. 01
.84
384. 45
424.89
•
Georgia
$20,781.60
$11,120.84
$18.94
North Carolina ..
South Carolina. . .
'56S’862.’42‘
723.65
2.27
1,289.48
12.87
Total
46,984.&5
472. 84
145,550.35
1,249.60
77,644.02
11,8-44.49
21.21
179
180
PEECIOUS METALS IM THE UNITED STATES.
Table 2b.— Immediate Sources of Precious Metals Obtained in 1900.
[Coining value.]
State.
Shipping ores.
Untraceable.
Total.
Grand
total.
Gold.
Silver.
Gold.
Silver.
Gold.
Silver.
Alabanaa
Georgia
Marvland- -
North Carolina..
South Carolina . .
'rfimiRssee
$199. 48
893.65
93.02
8,527.89
238.23
$1.29
10. 76
.37
1.5,346.55
1.98
$209.38
4,200.45
1,846.42
149. 95
$24. 19
61. 75
33.58
. 77
$2,618.45
124,-527.87
391.66
44, 653. 28
122,656.65
310.36
3,557.77
$64. 62
632. 39
1.95
15, 986. 05
506. 31
1.39
124. 45
$2,683.07
125, 160. 26
393. 61
60,6:39.;33
123,162.96
311. 75
3,682.22
Virginia
Total
129.41
91.22
204. 65
1 . 05
10,081.68
15,452. 17
6,610.85
121.34
298, 716. 04
17,317. 16
316,033.20
Table 3.— Summary of Modes of Production in South Appalachian States
IN 1900.
Mode.
Gold.
Silver.
Total.
Increase ( + )
or de-
crease {— ).
Placers -
$46,984.65
145, 5.50. a5
77,644.02
11,844.49
10,081.68
6,610.85
$472. 84
1,249.60
$47,457.49
146, 799. 95
77.644.02
11,86,5.70
25.. 53:1. 85
6, 732. 19
-$27,139.67
+ 4,020.52
- 13,366.05
-t- 822.17
-1- 15,10:5.16
- 3,941.97
Mills - -
W f iris’s .
River mining - .
Rhinninfr
21.21
15,452.17
121.34
Untraceable
Total
298, 716. 04
17,317.16
316,0:33. .20
- 24,501.84
Tlie returns of “ works ” were entirely due to tlie clilorimition
departments connected witli tlie Haile mine, South Carolina, and the
Creighton mine, Georgia, and witli the new iilant of the Dahlonega
Consolidated Gold Mining Company, which was put to work in the
autumn of 1900.
The Southern Smelting Company was operated only during the latter
months of the year. They reported tliat none of their matte had been
marketed'during 1900, hence the amounts involved in their work will
appear in the tables for 1901.
A few experiments at cyaniding on a small scale were attempted, but
I could learn of no important results.
For the most part, tlie old and satisfactory methods of the past were
followed.
As a whole, mining in this section was in good condition at the end
of 1900.
The petty mining has sunk to an unprecedentedly small amount.
MARYLAND.
The production of this State is shown in Table 4. Nearly all of this
came from the fitful work of Montgomery County.
Table 4.— Maryland.
County.
Weight.
Value.
Gold.
Silver.
Total.
Gold.
Silver. »
Total.
Motitgnmery _
Fine ozs.
14.447
4. ,500
Fine ozs.
1.23
.29
Fine ozs.
15. 677
4. 790
$298. 04
93. 02
$1.58
.37
$300. 22
93.39
Unknown
Total
18. 947
1.52
20.467
391. 66
1.95
393. 61
Coining value.
rKECIOUS METALS IE THE UNITED STATES.
181
VIRGINIA.
None of the precious metal mines was systematically worked, and
the tenor of information fi*om on r correspondents was that operations
had reached a very low ebb without prospect of improvement in 1901.
(8ee Table 5.)
The copper belt of Halifax County was further developed, and a
considerable quantity of high-grade copper ore shipped, containing a
small content of gold and silver. The woilc of 1901 will probably be
CO n siderably i nc reased .
Table 5.— -Virginia.
County.
Weight.
Value.
Gold.
Silver.
Total.
Gold.
Silver. “
Total.
Fluvanna
Halifax
Loudoun
Sj)otsylvania
Unknown
Total
Fine ozs.
Ti. 940
1.260
2T). 568
95. 505
43.834
Fine ozs.
0.18
70.28
.49
16. 16
9.14
Fine ozs.
6.120
71. 540
26.058
111. 665
52. 974
$122. 80
26.04
528. 54
1,974.27
906. 12
$0.23
90. 87
.64
20.90
11.81
$123. 03
116.91
529. 18
1,995. 17
917. 93
172. 107
96.25
268. 357
3,557. 77
124.45
3,682.22
“Coining value.
NORTH CAROLINA.
The yield is tabulated in Table 6. The returns from the old and
oi'd inary methods of business were substantially the same as in 1899;
the shipments were greatly increased.
The statements for 1899 fairly indicate the status for 1900. The pro-
duction for Nash, Franklin, Stanley, Cherokee, Cabarrus, Montgomeiy,
Mecklenburg, Caldwell, Catawba, Burke, Rutherford, Polk, and Union
counties remains substantially unchanged.
The dredging jilant of the Catawba Placer Mining Company, in
Gaston County, was in operation the last months of 1900. In Mecklen-
burg and Cabarrus a marked disposition to mine ores for the Southern
Smelting Company, near Atlanta, has been stimulated, and some
important shipments have been made.
The largest operations in this State were in Rowan County, at Gold
Hill, at the Union Copper Mining Company’s property and the near-by
McMakin mine.
At the former mine a still larger dump of low-grade ores has been
accumulated and the higher-grade ore shi^Dped. The concentrating
plant had not proved a success at the end of the year.
At the McMakin mine concentrating and chlorinating work was at
the point of application at the commencement of 1901.
The old and famous Gold Hill mine was in litigation and a receiver
was appointed in .January, 1901, to make a sale.
A small shipment of argentiferous lead-zinc sulphurets was shipped
from Silver Hill, Davidson County.
The Granville and Person counties’ copper belt was most actively
prosecuted at five points, and more than 7,000 tons of high-grade cop-
per ores were shipped in 1900, all slightly auriferous and argentiferous.
The bulk of this ore was shipped from the Holloway mine. The opera-
tions of this belt are likely to continue without diminution.
I see no signs of important change in this State in 1901.
182
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
Table 6. — North Carolina.
County.
Weight.
Value.
Gold.
Silver.
Total.
Gold.
Silver. »
Total.
Burke
Fine ounces.
244. 143
Fine ounces.
49. 94
Fine ounces.
294.083
$5,046.88
1,07.5.05
75.46
$64.58
15.80
$5,111.46
1,090.85
Cabarrus
52.00t)
12.22
64. 220
Caldwell
3. 6i)0
.82
4. 470
1.06
76. 52
Catawba
32. 989
0.13
39. 119
681.94
7. 93
689.87
Chatham
20. 050
10. 92
30. 970
414.48
14.12
428. 00
Cherokee
43. 432
2.25
45.082
897. 83
2.92
900. 75
Clay
2. 250
.22
2. 470
46.51
.29
40.80
Davidson
18. 703
4.54. 21
472. 973
387.87
587.28
975. 15
Franklin
128. 083
0.58
1:35, 263
2,660.11
1,073.04
1,581.92
85.08
8.51
2,668.62
1,077.17
6, 905. 69
85. 48
Gaston
51. 908
3.18
.55. 088
4. 13
Granville
70. 525
4,117.59
.31
4,194.115
4. 420
5,323.77
.40
Guilford.
4.110
Henderson
275. 070
172. .53
448. 200
5,098.00
77.02
223. 08
5,921.68
77. 99
Iredell.-
3. 7.55
.29
4.045
.37
Lincoln
1.3.50
.09
1.440
27.91
.12
28.03
McDowell -
67. 715
17. 10
84. 815
1,.399. 79
2,253.17
22. 11
1,421.90
2,312.48
3,704.23
435.29
Mecklenburg
108. 997
45. 80
1.54. 857
59.31
Montgomery
180. 594
23.99
204. 584
3,73:3.21
31.02
Moore
20. 8(v3
3.20
24. 123
431.27
4.02
Nash
145. 504
22.00
168. 104
3,007.83
27. 55
29. 22
3,037.(15
124. .53
Person
1.333
75. «)
76. 333
90. 98
Polk
11.276
1.06
12.336
2.33. 10
l.:37
234.47
Randolph
152. 812
.5:3. .56
200. 372
3, 1.58.90
4,893.58
644.24
69.25
3,228.15
14,149.61
657. .57
Rowan
230.727
7, 158. 95
10.30
7,39.5. 077
41.405
9,256.03
1:3.33
Rutherford
31. 105
Stanly
.58. 399
5.44
63. 839
1,207.22
1,984.37
1,848.75
7.06
1,214.28
2, 086. .56
1,888.55
Union
95. 994
79.03
175. 024
102. 19
Unknown
89. 433
30.78
120.213
39.80
Total
2, 100. 102
12,364.21
14,524.312
4-4,0,53.28
15,980.05
60,639.;33
"Coining value.
SOUTH CAROLINA.
The yield is sliown in Table 7. The work in this State is and has
been for many years in a veiy satisfactory condition, witli no furtlier
fluctnations than is inevitably incident to mining. Only two mines
liave been worked largely — the Haile, in Lancaster County, and the
Douglas, in Spartanburg County.
The former lias largely increased its large reserves and has effected
improvements in tlie work in the direction of both efficiency and
economy. The ore at command in 1900 was of a lower grade than for
several years past.
The prospect for a somewhat increased xirodnction in 1901 is good.
Table 7. — South Carolina.
County.
Weight.
Value.
Gold.
Silver.
Total.
Gold.
Silver, a
Total.
Abbeville
Fine ounces.
27. 90.3
Fine ounces.
16. .53
Fine ounces.
44.4:53
$.576. 80
$21. 37
$598. 17
Chesterfield
,30:5. 9.5i5
13. 45
317. 405
(i,28,'3.:31
17. :i9
6, ;K)0. 70
Lancaster
5, 2:50. .520
248.31
5,484.8:30
108,248.f)0
321. (Hi
108,509.00
Pickens
2. 1(K)
.03
2.730
4:3.42
.81
44.2:3
Spartanburg
1:39. :370
19. .59
1.58. 900
2,881.04
25. ,‘83
2, 90). 37
Union
214. 400
92.04
446
4,4:82.17
119. (K)
4. .551. 17
Unknown
9. 2.55
1.05
10. .‘80.5
191. :8i
1.35
192. 00
Total
5, 93:1. 515
:391.tM)
6,:32,5.115
122, ()50. 05
.506. :81
123, 162. 90
iiCoiniug value.
PUECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
183
GEORGIA.
Tlie activity seen for inanj^ years continues witiiout abatement and
with an increase of nearly 7 per cent in returns. The details are
given in Table 8.
Milling work was conducted in Carroll, Cherokee, Hall, Lumpkin,
McDuMe, Meriwether, and White; dredging was carried on in the
Chestatee River and with somewhat greater results. In the other
counties onl}’- x)lacer work was carried on, amounting to nearly one-
sixth of the total xR’oduction of the State. The marked increases in
production were shown in Cherokee, Luinx^kin, McDuffie, and Meri-
wether counties.
In river mining the plants of Birch Brothers and of George W.
Sheppard, near New Bridge, on the Chestatee River, were especiallj'"
prominent; six other x)lants are projected on the same river.
In White and McDuffie the work is likely to be greater in 1901.
Four mines were oj^erated in the former county and three in the
latter.
In Carroll County the Southern Klondike Mining Coinx^anj^ was
brought to the x)rodncing i^oint at the end of the year.
In Cherokee County the Creighton was actively at work on an
increasingly large scale; the Cherokee was operated intermittently.
The yield of Lumxddn County was materially enlarged. Eight dif-
ferent concei'iis were at work. The most imj)ortant enterprise was
the Dahlonega Consolidated Gold Mining Comx)any, which commenced
its work the latter part of summer and is aiiparently in a condition
to make steady and important returns. This company is very thor-
oughly equipped and has a very large amount of mining j^roperty to
draw uxjon.
The Southern Smelting Company, at Oakdale, 9 miles from Atlanta,
silent the earlier part of the year in accumulating a stock of smelting
ores and commenced to smelt late in the year; none of its matte had
. been disposed of at the end of the year. It is probable that its ox)er-
ations will add considerably to the output of the section in 1901.
The work of tlie State ajDpears to be in good condition.
Table 8.— Georgia.
County.
Weight.
Value.
Gold.
Silver.
Total.
Gold.
Silver, a
Total.
F'ine ounces.
F'ine ounces.
Fine ounces.
Bartow
ir.Tol
3. .53
31.374
01
|4. 55
$.371. 56
Cherokee
3, .‘34.5.862
39.38
3,375.243
48,493.37
37.99
48, 5:31. 26
Cobb
34. 104
.48
34. .584
498. 37
.61
498. 88
Dawson
»(). 480
4.25
94. 730
1,870.38
5.48
1,875.86
Forsythe
39. 618
.17
39. 788
818. 98
*»
819.20
Habersham
3. 8.51
.54
3. 391
58. 94
.70
59.64
Hall
46. 979
.5.88
.52.8.59
971. 14
7.61
978. 75
Lincoln
3. 1.58
. 05
3. 308
65.28
.07
65.35
Lumpkin
1, («J6. .530
343.38
1,909.810
34, 450. 23
314.54
:14, 764. 77
McDuffie
493. 736
59.11
551.836
10, 18.5. .54
76. 43
10,261.97
Meriwether
115. 731
3.33
117.941
3,393. 17
3. 87
3,395.04
Oglethorpe
15. 338
1. 65
16.878
314. 79
3. 13
' 316. 93
Paulding
93. 138
7.41
99..5;38
1,904.45
9.58
1,914.0:3
Rabun
7. 019
.13
7. 139
145. 10
.15
145. 25
Union
47. 885
47. 885
989. 88
989. 88
White
808. 396
82. 61
890.906
16, 708. 97
106.81
16,815.78
Unknown
307. 897
48.44
2.56. 137
4,293.47
63. 65
4, 356. 13
Total
6,034.036
489. 11
6,513.146
134, 537. 87
633. 39
135, 160. 36
a Coining value.
184 PEEOIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
ALABAMA.
For statistics of production see Table 9, Tlie only regular opera-
tions conducted were in Tallapoosa and Clay counties, but none were
of importance.
The falling off of production was accentuated, and no indications of
iinjirovement are visible.
Table 9.— Alabama.
County.
Weight.
Value.
Gold.
Silver.
Total.
Gold.
Silver.a
Total.
Clay
Fine ounces.
3. 587
45. 134
C4. 079
13. 808
Fine ounces.
0.08
9.28
18.48
22.15
Fine ounces.
3.667
54. 414
83. 5.59
36. 018
$74. 16
933.00
1,324.61
286.68
$0. 10
11. 99
23. 89
28.64
$74.3(i
944. 99
1,348. .50
315. 32
Cleturne
Tallapoosa
Unknown
Total
136. 668
49.99
176. 658
3,618.45
64.63
2,683.07
a Coining value.
TENNESSEE.
The returns are shown in Table 10. This amount was the result of
pett}^ placer operations on Coker Creek, Monroe County.
Table 10.— Tennessee.
County.
Weight.
Value.
Gold.
Silver.
Total.
Gold.
Silver.
Total.
Monroe
Fine ounces.
15. 014
Fme ounces.
1.08
Fine ounces.
16.094
$310.36
$1.39
$.311.75
» Coining value.
As compared with 1899 there was a modest increase in mill returns
and in river mining, and a large increase in shipping ores and a notable
decrease in the output of placers and works. A very small proportion
of the whole product was uutraceable.
The distribution by States, metals, fine ounces, and coining values
is shown in Table 11:
Table 11.— Recapitulation.
State.
Weight.
Value.
Gold.
Silver.
Total.
Gold.
Silver. »
Total.
Alabama
Georgia
Maryland
North Carolina
Soiith Carolina
Tenne.ssee
Virginia
Total
Fine ounces.
126. 668
6, 024. (K56
18. 947
2,160. 102
5, 933. .515
15.014
172. 107
Fine ounces.
49. 99
489. 11
1 52
12, .364. 21
391.60
1.08
96. 25
Fine ounces.
176. 6,58
6,513.146
20. 467
14, .524. 312
6,32.5.115
16. (M14
268. 357
$3,618.45
124, .537. 87
391.66
44,(153.28
122,6.56.65
310.36
3,5.57.77
$64. 63
632.39
1.95
15, 986. 05
.506. 31
1.39
134. 45
$3, 683. 07
125, 160. 26
393. 61
60,6.39.33
133,162.96
311.75
3,682.22
14,4.50.389
13,393.76
27,844.149
298,716.04
17,317. 16
316,033.20
Coining value.
SOUTH DAKOTA.
By Franklin R. Carpenter, Ph. D., F. G. S. A..
Mining and Metallurgical Engineer.
I lierewith send 1115^ report ui^on the output of i?old and silver of
South Dakota for the year 1900. You will observe that it shows, as
compared witli 1899, a decrease in gold and an increase in silver.
This is accounted for by a falling off both in the production of both
the Ilomestake free-milling and the silicious or refractory ores, the
Homestake output being a decrease of $54,868 and the refractory a
decrease of 13,165 tons. There is, however, a gain in silver, owing to
the fact that tlie Golden Reward Mining Comxiany had permitted its
silver-bearing ores to accumulate for several years, it not being desir-
able to treat tliem by their chlorination process. But having become
possessed of tlie Deadwood and Delaware Smelting Compaiy^’s jrlant,
they were able to treat during 1900 this accumulation of silver-
bearing ores.
Gold and Silver Output of South Dakota for 1900.
Description.
Gold.
Silver.
Weight.
Commercial
value.
Weight.
Commercial
value.
Free-milling' ores
Fine ounces.
182, 718. 92
118,261.73
$3, 776,818
2,444,470
Fine ounces.
8,267.74
550,a35.48
$5,126
341,394
Refractory ores
Total
300, 980. 65
6,221,288
558,903.22
346,520
Comparison of Output with Previous Year.
Derivation.
1899.
1900.
Increase.
Decrease.
Gold:
Homestake
$3,581,686
2,610,362
279, 000
$3, .526, 818
2,419, 470
275,000
$54, 868
190, 892
4,(VX)
Refractory ore by railroad
Other refractory ore
Total
6,471,048
111,. 595
6,221,288
346, ,520
249, 760
Silver
$234,925
Total gold and silver
Refractory ores by railroad ...tons..
6, .582, 643
180,025
6, .567, 808
166,860
14,835
13,165
My estimate of the output of gold and silver for South Dakota for
the year 1900 is:
Fine ounces.
Gold. 300,980.65
Silver 558,903.22
In my previous reports I have fully described the geologj^ of the
Black Hills — how in Cambrian times it consisted of a slowly sinking
island of Algonkian schists, which island had been formed by a great
fold ; how along the trough of this fold the Ilomestake vein was formed ;
185
18G
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
how the CambruTii Sea approached from all sides, wore down this
island, worked over iijion the beach the sands thus derived (which in
part consisted of the Iloinestake vein), and formed of it the great
bed of gold-bearing conglomerate surrounding the hills, which has
appro j)riately been called a ‘‘fossil placer;” how in more recent
geological times a i^art of the gold in this conglomerate was dissolved
out and redeposited at higher and more favorable horizons, forming a
second class of deposits of so-called “ refractory ” ores of the hills.
The first class is free-milling; the second class yield their gold only by
chlorination, cyauiding, or smelting.
The Iloinestake vein is, and will alwa.ys remain, the principal gold
producer of the Black Hills ; it is practically inexhaustible. It is formed
in an immense roll or fold of the schists which dips to the southeast,
and from the horizon at an angle of about 35 degrees. Where its
various branches cropped out it was nearly 2 miles long. In its
deeper workings, where these branches have come together much like
the fingers unite to form the hand, it is 430 feet wide. It descends to
unknown deiiths, and sixty years’ ore supiily are said to be alreadj’’
opened. It was originally covered by many independent locations,
but all these have been united under one management. It is not
everywhere equally rich, but it yields bj’’ amalgamation from $2 to
IG per ton. This value has no reference to its assa}’' value, but only
to the amount that is free-milling. Dui'ing the year past the compan}^
has operated about 700 stamps. When operated at full capacity they
treated about 280 tons |)er day. Formerly onlj’’ battery and aju-on
plates Wvu*e used in amalgamation, 'I’liey still left considerable value
in the tailings. The first attempt to save this value was by con-
centration of the sulphnrets, which were sold to the local smelter.
As this plan was not entirely satisfactoiy, the company added silver
i^lates, over which they passed the tailings, and wliich made an addi-
tional saving of about 15 cents per ton. This will not seem small
when the great number of tons treated is considered. Later, another
series of silver plates was added. They were not expected to save
more than half as much as the first set, but even 74 cents per ton is
$75 iier day for each 1,000 tons treated. These additions caused
a gi*eat advance in the value of Iloinestake stock, and shows, as no
other illustration can, the iiecessit}^ of attention to small things in
mining matters. Tlie second additional row having proven highly
profitable, a third row was contemplated, although it was not expected
to save more tlian 3 or 4 cents per ton additiioiial; but even this
small am omit was well worth considering.
About this time the superintendent turned his attention to cyanid-
ing, foi* while the treatment of low-grade ores had here reached a
develoynneiit not elsewhere equaled, there was still, relativel}’’ speak-
ing, (jiiite a percentage of the value escayiing. If 40 cents per ton
only of this could lie recovered it would mean an additional income of
about $1,200 per day, A cyanide expert of the highest rank was
called in, and an exix'rimeiital plant erected to treat tailings of a
grade never before attempted. After mouths of exjierimeutal work
it was di^cided that a plant upon a large scale would be justified, and
what is said to be the largest cyanide plant in the world was erected,
and has at this Avriting lieeii in operation long enough to more than
justify the most sanguine expectations of thecomy)any, but a descrip-
tion of itswo7-kings and ouluut more properly belongs to the present
than to tlie })ast }mar.
Ill addition to this a new water suyiply from Little Spearfisn
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
187
Creek was brought in at an expense of about 11,000,000. This snin
was not all expended in the constniction of the ditch and pumping
plant, but in order to have a clear title it became necessaiy to buy
all water rights for a distance of more than 30 miles along the valle3^
This water will permit the operation of many additional stamps and
obviate the necessity of closing any part of the works, Avhich formerly
was necessary during dry seasons.
Next to the Ilomestake in importance is the Golden Reward Com-
])aii3', which works refractoiy ore or the deposits of the second class.
Fornierl3^ thc3" relied wholly upon chlorination in tlieir ore treatment,
but later they bought the plant of the Deadwood and Delaware Smelt-
ing Compaiy". This was designed to smelt a very silicious ore.
There was at the time of its erection neither copper nor lead ores to
be had in the vicinit3% so that ordinary methods of smelting could not
be emi)lo3’ed.
As large bodies of iron sulphide occurred in the hills, it was
decided to employ this material to form a matte or carrier for tlie
precious metals. After a few 3^ears it became possible to secure cop-
per ores from Butte, Mont., and thereby change the iron matte to a
low-grade copper matte, veiy high in gold. These silicious ores,
dolomitic limestone, iron pyrite, and copper ores are smelted together
in large blast furnaces of the Rachette t3yie, forming an extremel3^
silicious slag. About 20 tons of charge are concentrated into 1 ton of
matte, and tliis matte subseqnentl3^ resmelted with practically the
same charge, making a final concentration in which 1 ton of matte
may, and often does, represent 100 tons of the original charge. It is
then shipped to the Omaha and Grant smelter at Omaha, where, with-
out additional preparation, it is added raw to the lead-smelting
charge. The matte so treated gives ui) nearl3* all of its gold to the
lead, which is further treated by the Parke’s process and the gold
thereb3^ recovered.
The ores which suppl3^ this smelter are found in long, horizontal
shoots at tlie union of the Cambrian quartzite and the overl3dng lime
shales. The best ore is found in the lime shales, but the quartzite is
also often impregnated. In the earl3^ working of these shoots no
attention was paid to the lower gi-ade ores found in and upon the
quartzite. Recentl3' these have been found to 3ueld their gold read-
ily to the cv’anide process, and the Golden Reward Compaiy^ pi’O-
pose erecting upon the site of their old chloilnation mill a C3mnide
mill for their treatment and for the treatment of such ores as imy be
free of' silver or better suited f(U‘ C3vaniding than smelting. The
quantit3^ of such ores in the Black Hills is veiy great, and it is prob-
able that all of the older abandoned mines, from which the richer
shoots have been takeji, will now be reworked for this lower gj-ade ore
and such ores as were formerl3- considered not worth working b3"
an3" process.
The Ilomestake and Golden Reward (*ompanies produce the bulk of
the gold mined in the Black Hills, and represent the best t3q)es of
their respective methods of working, but there are other comi)anies
that own mines and reduction works. The Kildonan Coinpaiy^ treats
tlie same class of ores as the Golden Reward Compan3q but 1)3^ chlori-
nation, which method of treatment, however, is found economical
when applied to onl3^ a snuill percentage of even this class of ores,
and is now practicall3^ abandoned. Othei* companies emplo3^ the
cyanide process. A tyqiical compan3’ of this class is known as the
Wasp No. 2. Their ores are of the second class, i. e., flat deposits.
188
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
Formerly, they mined only their high-grade ores, selling these to the
smelter. Their entire output averaged 140 per ton. The former
owners of the Wasp shipped ore to the value of $225,000, and the
present owners shipped an amount exceeding $300,000 before their
attention was turned to the lower grade ores lying under these richer
shoots. After mining the rich shoots to the extent of about 3,000
feet, holes were drilled in the quartzite upon which the richer shoots
had been found, and everywhere it was found to carry gold in values
ranging 'tirom $4 to $7. They then decided to employ the cyanide
process for their treatment and erected a mill having a capacity of 35
tons per day. Tliis mill was started upon October 1, 1900. The ore
treated during the remainder of that year averaged $7 in gold and 85
cents in silver j)er ton. Of this, $5.70 in gold and 20 cents in silver
was recovered. The cost of mining and milling amounted to $3 per
ton. Since that time the capacity of the mill has been increased and
the cost of treatment reduced.
These mills are veiy simple and inexpensive, and this one may be
taken as a type. It consists of a No. 3 Gates crusher, two pairs of
rolls, a bucket elevator, a shaking screen, and four leaching tanks.
A number of such plants, varying in size, have been erected by other
companies and a still larger number is projected.
The most important changes in the Black Hills during the past year
were the abandonment of the chlorination process and tlie adaiitation
of cyanide methods to the treatment of low-grade ores.
The llomestake Mining Company, it is said, will reopen the old De
Smet and Caledonia mills, which liave long been closed. It is also
said that they will erect another cyanide i)lant of 1,000 tons daily
cai)acity to treat the tailings from the Deadwood-Terra, Caledonia,
and De Smet mills. A new smelter is proposed for Rapid Citj^ It is
said to consist of furnaces for both tiie matte process and for lead
smelting.
GOLD ORES OF THE BLACK HILLS, SOUTH DAKOTA.
By H. M. Chance, Philadelphia., Pa.
Probabl}' no other prosperous mining district is so little known as the Black
Hills.
Aside from the stampede to the Black Hills country in 1876, when gold placers
were discovered and 15,000 or 20,000 people became infected with the mining
fever, the region has never had a mining “ boom.”
Quartz mining commenced in 1877 or 1878 and has been successtully prosecuted
ever since, the output of gold steadily growing, until at T)rosent the yield is about
$7,000,000 annually.
This great production is about equally divided between two entirely different
classes of deposits. The first class, comprising the so-called quartz or free milling
ores (of which the Homestake mine is the principal producer), are veins of gener-
ally steep dip. in the older metamorphosed rocks and similar to the veins worked
in other mining districts. The second class of mines is located in what is known
as the “ siliceous gold belt.”
THE SILICEOUS GOLD BELT.
This belt, more particularly to be described in this paper, lies in the immediate
vicinity of Deadwood and Lead City and covers an area 6 or 7 miles in length by
3 or 4 miles in width. The formation in which the siliceous ores are found is a
nearly horizontal series of sandstones and shales, generally referred by geologists
"From Transactions of the American Institute of Mining Engineers, 1901, pp.
278-282.
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
189
to the Potsdam period. These shales and sandstones were not originally gold-
bearing rocks, but they have been cracked and fissured in all directions, and
through these cracks and fissures gold-bearing solutions have permeated the for-
mation, giving rise to a series of ore chutes of variable width and thickness and
so numerous that the formation is literally riddled with chutes of ore. These ore
chutes are usually horizontal and commonly extend for considerable distances in
nearly straight lines, following the lines of fissure through which the ore-bearing
solution has found its way into the formation.
Within certain limits of the developed area of this formation the formation is so
completely mineralized that it is next to impossible to sink a shaft more than 30,
■10, or 50 feet, or to drive a drift, upraise, or winze for the same distance, without
striking ore. In other words, the uncertainty which usually attends prospecting
tor ores seems to be almost entirely eliminated, as ore is found in every tunnel or
shaft.
Most of these ore chutes yield ore ranging in value from $10 or $12 up to $15 per
ton; some average $20 or $25 per ton; others have been found ranging in value
from $30 to $100 per ton; and the general average value of ore found in this for-
mation is from $12 to $18 per ton. Of such ore, the quantity is at present incal-
culable, as will be understood when it is considered that we have here a formation
300 or 400 feet thick, with ore chutes and ore horizons scattered through it from
top to bottom, in some places close together, in others more widely separated; that
this condition obtains over an area of, say, 4 miles long by 2 miles wide, and that
the chutes are of variable width and thickness, so that, while it is not possible to
make any statement as to the average width or average thickness, it is evident that
the quantity of ore embraced within these limits is enormous.
This siliceous gold belt of the Black Hills seems unique as a gold-bearing forma-
tion. I do not know of any other distric t in the world where such a series of
deposits has been discovered. There is no other district, except perhaps the South
African gold fields, where shafts may be sunk with the certainty that here obtains
of striking ore. This is so thoroughly understood by the owners of the reduction
plants that they have bought a large area of practically undeveloped territory.
Claims often entirely barren of all evidence of ore have been purchased as confi-
dently as coal operators purchase coal land, with the assurance that, while the
coal may not be visible, it will be found beneath the surface. The district has not
produced any great bonanza mines. Some ore chutes have been found yielding
many hundreds or thousands of tons of ore, ranging in value from $50 to $150 per
ton, and before the reducing plants were built some of this high-grade ore was
hauled by wagon 200 miles for shipment to works in Colorado; but these are excep-
tional instances. Most of the ore available in this district ranges in value, as
already observed, from $10 up to $20 or $25 per ton.
REDUCTION WORKS.
This belt now supplies ore to four reducing plants, as follows:
1. The Deadwood and Delaware smelter, having a capacity of over 200 tons
per day.
2. The Golden Reward chlorination mill, with a capacity of about 180 tons
per day.
3. The Horseshoe Mining Company's (Kildonan) chlorination mill, with a capac-
ity of 120 tons per day.
4. The Black Hills Reduction Company’s cyanide mill, with a capacity of 60
tons per day.
Reducing processes. — The ores of this belt are successfully treated by smelting,
by chlorination, and by the cyanide process; and the ability to treat them success-
fully and profitably both by straight smelting and by pyritic smelting is demon-
strated by the Deadwood and Delaware smelter, which uses both processes.
Cost of mining and treatment. — The cost of smelting under the conditions
obtaining in this district probably ranges between $4.75 and $5.75 per ton, the
cost of chlorination is about $3.50 to 4.50 per ton, and the cost of treatment by
cyanide is thought to be somewhat less, possibly $3 to $3.75 per ton. The location
of reduction works at a point where water power might be used instead of steam
power would reduce the cost of treatment by the cyanide and chlorination proc-
esses about 50 cents per ton.
Notwithstanding the fact that ores can be treated at the low cost above stated,
the metallurgical works charge for reduction $0 per ton, which, with the railroad
freight of 75 cents per ton from the mines to the works, brings the cost for freight
and treatment up to $9.75 per ton. Individual miners and operators, working in
a small way, getting out but a few tons of ore per day, generally find that the cost
of mining, including dead work and improvements necessary from time to time.
190
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
brings the cost of the ore, delivered upon the railroad cars, up to about $4 or more
per ton. This, added to the cost of transportation and reduction, practically
leaves no margin of profit on ores averaging less than $15 per ton. As the assay
returns from the reduction works rarely show as large values as those obtained
from assays of miners’ samples, the miners of the district do not, as a rule, attempt
to mine ore that does not show by their own samples an average value of at least
$16 or $17 per ton.
Profits. — The owners of the reduction works can profitably treat ores from their
own properties that do not yield more than $10 per ton. Now, it is precisely
between these limits of $10 and $17 per ton that the values of the largest bodies of
ore range, and there is in sight in the district probably five or ten times as much
ore ranging in value from $10 to $17 per ton as can be found exceeding $17 per ton.
It is, therefore, self-evident that so long as the high treatment charges obtain,
mine operators, in order to reap anything like the full measure of possible profit,
must own and operate their own reduction plants. This fact is now well under-
stood by those familiar with the district, and is appreciated very fully by the own-
ers of the several reduction works already mentioned.
Area already purchased. — Probably two-thirds of the developed area within the
limits of this siliceous ore bolt has already been purchased by the three great com-
panies operating in the district, namely, the Deadwood and Delaware Smelting
Company, the Golden Reward Consolidated Company, and the Horseshoe Mining
Company. The plants of these companies were all started in a small way, from
six to ten years ago, and after more or less checkered careers have solved the prob-
lem of the efficient and economical treatment of the ores, and have grown from
small beginnings to their present capacity. From the very outset they have all
been steadily enlarging their capacity and are still continuing to enlarge it; they
have all been buying additional territory, and are continuing to buy such territory
when it can be purchased at what they regard reasonable prices, so that each one
of these companies now controls a very large area of mining ground in this sili-
ceous ore belt.
UTAH.
By B. H. Tatem,
Assayer in Charge, United States Assay Office, Helena, Mont.
The value of the gold, silver, copper, and lead won from the mines
of Utah was the largest in the history of the State. The (inantity of
each metal produced and the value thereof was as shown in the table
below, the gold and silver being computed at the coinage rate for each
and the copper and lead at the year’s average price :
Description.
Quantity.
Value.
Gold
Silver
Copper, at §16.19 per cwt
Lead, at §4.37 per cwt...
do
fine pounds..
do
19.5, 223. 629
9.381,683.69
14,416,776
97,485,020
$4,035,609.90
a 13, 129, 853. 66
2,334,076.03
4,260,09.5.37
Total value
22,759,634.96
a Coining value.
A comiiarison of these figures with corres^ionding data for 1899
shows the following variations to have occurred:
Metal.
1899.
1900.
Increase.
Quantity.
Value.
Quantity.
Value.
Gold
Silver ...
Copper ..
Lead
fine ounces..
do
fine pounds ..
do
169,631
7,183,107
9,310,344
87,707,343
.$3,506,583
9,287,250
1,. 553, 034
3,920,518
9,:i81,683
14,416,776
97,485,020
$4,035,610
13,129,8.54
2,334,076
4,260, (K)5
$.529,028
2,842,604
782,043
3:39,577
Total value .
18,366,384
22,759,6a5
4,493,251
1’he above showing is a pleasing one. The increase in value
amounted to 24.6 per cent, having been principally in the copper and
silver produced. This gain in silver was occasioned by the growing
operations in the Tintoc and Park City districts, while the output of
cojiper shows a decided gain at both Bingham and in the Tintic. The
output of gold by the Mercur district was somewhat below that of the
preceding 3mar, yet the increased yields in this metal by the Tintic
and Bingham districts largely overcome this decrease, and a gain of
more than one-half million dollars occurred in the State. A gain of
over $339,000 in lead should be distributed to the several districts
of the State producing this class of ore.
The quantit^^ and amount of gold won in this State during the j^ears
191
192
PEECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
1890 and 1900 are shown, by comparison, in the following table by the
sources in which each originated :
Gold.
Description.
1899.
1900.
Increase.
Decrease.
Quantity.
Value.
Quantity.
Value.
In quartz and dry
ores
In cyanide mill
bullion
In lead ores
In copper ores
In milling ores
Total
Fine ounces.
14,693.951
101,214.609
27,642. 931
14,469.427
11,609.970
$303, 750. 92
2,092,291.66
571,4:10. 10
299, 109. 60
239,999.38
Fine ounces.
9,266. 185
97,615. 196
18,580.584
45,791.842
23,968.822
$191,549.05
.2,017,885. 19
384,094.76
946, 601. 39
495,479.51
$647,491.79
255,480. 13
$112,201.87
74,406.47
187, :335. 34
169,630. 888
3,506,581.66
195,222.629
4,035,609.90
902,971.92
373,943.68
Placer mining for gold in this State is not carried on. From the
above table it will be noted tliat the gain Avas largest in copiier ore.
Tiiis came inincipally from the Tintic district, AAdiere many of the
ores carry a considerable iiercentage of copper, and it seems Avise to
so class them. In 1899 a part of these ores carried loAver percentages
in copper, and AA^ere classed as smelting ores. It is for tliis reason
that a decrease is to be noted in the amount of gold contained in
smelting ores during 1900. The large increase of gold in copper ores
and the decrease of the same metal in smelting and diy ores is due to
a changed classification of this product rather than to any actual Amria-
tion in tlie industry. The decrease of gold in the lead ores Avas par-
tially due to this cause also, part of tlie gold lieretofore sIioaaui as
originating in lead ore being uoav classed as gold taken from milling
ores.
Tlie yield of sih^er in 1900, Avhen compared AAdth that of 1899 by its
origin in the seA^eral classes of ore, sIioavs the folloAving results:
Silver.
Classification.
1899.
1900.
Increase.
Decrease.
Quantity.
Value.
Quantity.
Value.
In quartz and dry
ores
In cyanide mill
bullion
In lead ores
In copper ores . . .
In milling ores...
Total
B'ine ounces.
297, 185. 69
82,537.21
5,028,660.22
611,745.33
1,162,978.76
$384, 240. 09
106, 714. 78
6,501,702. 09
790, 913. 4t)
1,503,649.30
Fine ounces.
251,912.97
50,939.11
5,912, 183.96
1,442, 461. 9<;
1,724, 185.69
$325, 705. 64
65, 860. 69
7,644,0a5.83
1,865,001.32
2,229,250. 18
$l,142,:m. 74
1,074,0.57.86
725,6(K).88
$58, 534. 45
40,8.54.09
7, 183, 107. 21
9,287,249.72
9,381,683.69
12,129,853.66
2,941,9!12. 48
99,388.54
There is but little mining of silver ore in Utah, Avhere this metal is
the chief walue contained, nearly all of the large amount of silver
sliOAvn above having been associated Avith other values in the ores.
The properties in the Statu Avorking in 1900 and pi-oducing nearly all
of their values in silver Avere the Ontario mine at Park City and the
Chloride Point near Mercur. The product of the foianer is included
in the shoAving made for milling ores, AAdiile the latter AA^as recoA^ered
through the use of cyanide.
More than one-half of the silver output of Utah during 1900 Avas
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
193
contained in load ores. The principal places of jirodnction of these
ores are the districts around Park City and the Tintic. The min-
ing of silver-lead ores is also a feature of the output in Salt Lake,
Tooele, and Beaver counties, but to no such extent as at Park City
and in the Tintic. The increase of the silver contained in copper
ores worked during the year is due to the increased importance of tlie
output from the mines at Bingham and the larger yield therefrom.
The increase in silver won from the mills of the State originated prin-
cipally from the Tintic, Park City, and Frisco districts.
Nearly all of the output of gold originates in Tooele, Salt Lake, and
Summit counties.
The following is a table showing the comparison of the output of
gold in the several counties during the last two years:
Gold.
County.
1899.
1900.
Increase.
Decrease.
Quantity. Value.
Quantity.
Value.
Beaver
Iron
Fine ounces.
1,083.716
§32,738.31
Fme ounces.
280.520
372. 480
75, 355. 792
12,226. 970
9, 093. 375
97,585.492
308.000
$5,798.86
7, 699. 84
1,557,742.47
252,753.91
187,976.74
2,017,271.15
6,366.93
$7,699.84
639, .553. 61
74,740.88
5,986. 11
$26, 939. 45
Juab
Salt Lake.-
Summit
Tooele
Utah
44,917.386
8,611.380
8,803.797
106,214.609
918, 188. 86
178,013.03
181,990.63
2, 195, 650. 83
178,379.68
6, 366. 93
Total
169,630.888
3,506, 581. 66
195,222.629
4,035,609.90
727,980.44
211,686.06
The large increase in Juab County in the production of this metal
was due to the growing importance and active development of the
mineral wealth in the Tintic district. Nearly all of the other counties
show some increase in this metal, although Tooele County, the largest
gold-producing section of the State, exhibited a falling off from that
of the preceding year. This was partially due to the consolidation of
the De La Mar and Mercur properties in August, and the closing down
of the Mercur mill, near Manning, during the balance of the year,
thus leaving the Golden Gate mill to work the ores from the two mines,
and which had already been working very close to its capacity.
The amounts of silver originating in the several counties during
1900, when compared with the corresponding figures for 1899, show
the following results :
Silver.
County.
1899.
1900.
Increase.
Decrease.
Quantity.
Value.
Quantity.
Value.
Beaver
Iron
Fine ounces.
244, 939. 00
$316, 688. 80
Fine ounces.
143,007.00
627. 12
4,809,970.99
2:38,267.36
3, 931,, 205. 00
258,0J4.22
572.00
$184, 897. 94
810.82
6,218,9.52.40
308, 062. 85
5,082,770. 10
333,620.00
739.55
$810. 82
1,913. 713. 67
47, 147. 88
1,007,030. 61
41,799.28
739.55
CO
Juab
Salt Lake
Summit
Tooele
Utah
201,801.44
3,1.52,329. 78
225,705.01
4,305,238.73
260,914. 97
4,075,739.49
291,820.72
Washington
498. 88
36,847.01
36,847.01
Total
7,183,107.21
9,287,249.72
9,381,683. 69
12,129,a53.66 | 3,011,241.81
168,637. 87
12060—01
13
194
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
The most interesting facts to be noted in the above table are the
gains of nearly $2,000,000 in Jnab County (Tintic district) and the
gain of $1,000,000 in Summit County (Park City district).
The following statistical tables of Utah production, showing the
quantity and values of the various metals, their origin by counties,
and from the several classes of ores, together with the final disj^osi-
tion of the ores and bullion as to the sale and treatment, have been
assembled from confidential returns furnished by the producers.
These totals have been verified by comparison with those made from
figures and data given by the United States mints and assay oflices
and the smelters and refineries that handled the Utah product.
Production of Gold and Silver in Utah during the Calendar Year 1900.
Summary by counties.
Gold.
Silver.
Total value.
Quantity.
Value.
Quantity.
Coining
value.
Rpiaver
Fine ounces.
280.520
372. 480
75,355.792
12,226.970
9,093.375
97,585.492
308.000
$5, 798. 86
7,699.84
1,5.57,742. 47
252, 7.53. 91
187,976.74
2,017,271.15
6,366.93
Fine ounces.
in, 007. 00
627. 12
4,809,970.99
238,267.;}6
3,931,205.00
258,034.22
572.00
$184, 897. 94
810.82
6,218,952.40
308, 062. 85
5,082,770. 10
333, 620. 00
739.55
$190,696.80
8,510.66
7,776,694.87
560,816.76
5, 270, 746. 84
2,a50,891.15
7,106.48
Iron
J uab
Salt Lake
Summit
Tooele
Utah
Total
195,222.629
4,035,609.90
9,381,683.69
12, 129, 853. 66
16, 165, 463. 56
Bullion of Utah Production Deposited at the United States Mints
AND Assay Offices during the Calendar Year 1900.
Institution.
Gold.
Silver.
Total value.
Standard
ounces.
Value.
Standard
counes.
Coining
value.
Mints:
Philadelphia
San Francisco
Assay offices:
New York
Denver
Boise
Total
19. 933
l,492.20;i
. 72,826.810
2,675.647
337. 8.58
$370. 85
27,761.92
l,a54,917.39
• 49,779.48
6,285.73
1.28
1,115.39
9. 10
1, 973. 49
85. 23
$1.49
1,297.91
10.59
2, ,296. 42
99.18
$:372. 34
29,059.83
1,3.54,927.98
52,075.90
6,384.91
77,a5:i.451
1,439,115.37
3, m. 49
3, 705. .59
1,442,820.96
Production of Golj) and Silver in Utah (Origin Detailed) during the
Calendar Year 1900.
Origin.
Gold.
Silver.
Total value.
Quantity.
Value.
Quantity.
Coining
value.
In quartz and dry ores
In cyanide mill bullion
In lead ores
In copper ores
In milling ores —
Total
Fine ounces.
9,266. 185
97, 61.5.1 {*6
18, .580. ,584
45,791.842
23, 968. 822
$191,. 549. 05
2,017,885. 19
384,091.76
946, 601 . 39
495,479.51
Fine ounces.
2.51,912.97
.50,939.11
,5,912,183.96
1,442,461.96
1,724,185.69
$;12.5, 705. 64
65, 860. 69
7,644,03.5.83
1,865,001.32
2,229,2,50. 18
$517,2;)4. 69
2.083, 745.88
8,028,130.59
2,811,602. 71
2, 724, 729. 69
195,222.629
4,035,609.90
9,381,683.69 j 12,129,853.66
16,165,463.56
VRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
195
Origin, by Percentages, of the Production of Gold and Silver in Utah
DURING THE CALENDAR YeaR 1900.
Origin.
Gold.
Silver.
In quartz and dry ores
Percent-
age.
4.75
50
9.52
211.45
12.28
Percent-
age.
2.(59
.54
63.02
15.38
18.37
In cyanide mill bullion
In lead ores
In copper ores
In milling ores
Total
100
100
Production of Copper and Lead in Utah during the Calendar Year 1900.
Summary by counties.
Copper.
Lead.
Beaver
Fine
pounds.
769, 648
6,052,157
6, 196, 660
703,369
689, 362
5,580
Fine
pounds.
3,916,510
36,840,579
5,270, 495
46,982, 647
4,464,469
10,320
Juab
Salt Lake
Summit
Tooele
Utah
Total
14,416,776
97,485,020
Disposition of Gold and Silver of Utah Production during the Calen-
dar Year 1900.
Gold.
Silver.
Disposition.
Quantity.
Value.
Quantity.
Coining
value.
Total value.
Deposited at the United
States mints and assay of-
fices -
Fine ounces.
69,617.206
$1,439,115.37
Fine ounces.
2,866.05
$3,705.59
$1,442,820.96
Shipped to custom smelters
and refineries by produ-
cers
125,605.423
2,596,494.53
9,378,817.64
.12,126,148.07
14,722,642.00
Total
195,222.629
4,035,609.90
9,381,683.69
12,129,853.66
16,165,463.56
WASHINGTON.
By Frederick A. Wing.
Assayer in charge^ United States assay office^ Seattle, Wash.
Washington has added $1,177,319.08 to the visible supply of pre-
cious metals produced in the United States during the year 1900. As
compared with tlie output for 1899, the increase is shown to be
$13,831.22, as a reference to the appended tables will disclose.
Production of Precious Metals in the State of Washington during the
Calendar Year 1900.
Metal.
Quantity.
Value.
Gold fine ounces. .
Copper, at $16.19 i)er cwt ...fine pounds..
Lead, at $4.37 per cwt do
Total
a5, 431. 634
302,569.73
36,831
1,091,945
$732, 436. 88
“391,201.26
5, 962. 91
47,718.00
1,177,319.08
“ Coiniug value.
Production for 1900 Compared with that of 1899.
Metal.
1899.
19(K).
Quantity.
Value.
Quantity.
Value.
Gold ..fine ounces..
Silv'er do
35,284.136
;289, 660. 67
76,410
1,032,069
$729,387.82
374,510.76
13,455.80
46, 13.3. 48
a5, 431. 6.34
302, .569. 73
36,831
1,091,945
$732,4.36. 88
391,201.26
5,962.94
47, 718. 00
Copper fine pounds..
Lead do
Total
1,163,487.86
1,177,319,08
13,831.22
Net increase
Had not the operations of the Republic mine been interruxited b3^
tlie erection of their new mill and the consequent closing down for
niaii}^ montlis incident tliereto, the net gain for the j^ear would liave
been much larger. This deficiency was in jiart equalized b}^ the
increased iiroduction of tlie Mountain Lion and Black Bear- War Eagle
mines and others in northeastern Washington. The Eureka and Monte
Christo mines, located in the western slojie of the Cascade Range, con-
tributed enough to make the net gain mentioned above.
FERRY COUNTY.
Feriy County enjoys the distinction of being the best gold-jirodueing
countj^ i n the State. Its most inqiortant district is the ‘ ‘ Reiniblic,” and
its jirinciiial mines so far are tlie Butte and Boston, Republic, Morning
Gloiy, Qinlji, Lone Pine-Surprise, Black Tail, San Foil, Ben Hur,
196
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
197
]V[onntain Lion, and Tom Thumb, all being' located along the extensiv'^e
porphyiy belt running north and sontli for sev(*ral miles, and having
the thi-iving little town of Republic as the common center. This belt
is nearly a mile in width, and the mines are located along in the ordei'
given above, beginning Avith the Bntte and Boston on tlie south, and
ending with the Tom Thnml) on the north end of the ledge.
The event of greatest impoi'tance to the cam^j during the year was
tlie completion and opening of the new mill built by the Republic
C^yaniding and Power Company to accommodate the operation of their
own mines and to handle the custom work of manj^^of the others. The
main structure of the new mill is situated directly’' back of the site
formerly used by the old mill and adjoining the mouth of tunnel No. 4
on the south.
About 100 feet nortli of the tunnel entrance is located the sampling
mill. The ore is transmitted from the mine through tunnel No. 4 by
tram direct to the sampling works, where it is crushed by rollers
preparatory to its transmission to the first ore bin at the top of the
main building; here it is passed through immense dryers.
There are about 20 percolating tanks occupying the full width of
the mill. The ore is treated by the straight cyaniding process. The
main building is 317 feet wide by 320 feet long. In the south wing-
are the roasting ovens, which are connected by a large brick and stone
chimney following an angle up the hill to the ore bin above, where it
is connected with the stack. The object is to save a great deal of dust
which accumulates from the fumes in burning the ore. The plant Avill
treat 200 tons of ore per day and can be increased to 1,000 tons.
BeloAv the mill are the machine shops, blacksmith shops, stables,
etc. The mill and all its accessories give employment to a large num-
ber of men and distribute some 130,000 to $40,000 per month for wages
and supplies.
While the installation of this new plant necessitated the closing down
of the Republic mine, thereby reducing its output fully 50 i)er cent
for the year, the camp as a Avhole makes a creditable showing.
The increased production of the Mountain Lion, Morning Glor}^, and
othei'S in a measure offsets the loss incident to the installation of the
new machinery and the building of the new mill at the Republic mine.
Considerable work was done during the year on the Morning Glory.
Eight hundred feet of road was graded to connect Avith the main
Avagon road to facilitate the hauling of ore. An ore and sorting house
Avas constructed; a machinery station, 28 feet long by 14 feet A\dde
and 0 feet high, Avas constructed 310 feet from the portal of the main
tunnel.
A good deal of timbering Axas done on the Avinze as Avell as other
small improvements in the Avay of deA^elopment. In constructing the
machinery station on the tunnel level a neAv lead cariying good values
AA^as discoA^ered. In order to determine the course of the lead, 20
feet of drifting Avas done on this leA^el, 20 feet beloAv another drift
25 feet long AAms made, and 100 feet below the tunnel level (235 feet
beloAv the surface) 297 feet of drifts and crosscuts AA^ere run for the
purpose of exploiting this cross ledge. This work determined a pay
chute about 85 feet long, varying from 2 to 15 inches in Avidth,
Avith values running about $313 per ton. A raise Avas made from this
level 56 feet in ore. The A\dnze Avas continued doAvn about 50 feet
below this level and 60 feet of drifting Avas done. A drift is also
being run from the second leA^el for the purpose of crosscutting
another ledge A\diich crojis out on the surface, slioAving good Amlues.
198
PKECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
Tliis drift is now in 150 feet, Tliere is in all about 1,700 feet of devel-
opment work done on the property. During the past year the follow-
ing machinery was installed and pnt in operation: One 22-hoi-sepower
gasoline hoist; 1 2-2-horsep6wer gasoline engine with a No. 3 Buffalo
blower, which is used in supplying the mine with air, and a Cornish
mine piimii with ample capacity to keep the mine clear of water to a
depth of 500 feet. There is a large quantity of ore on the dump, Avhich
Avill be treated at a good iirofit as soon as railroad facilities are com-
pleted into the camp.
Another promising property is that owned by the Quilp Gold Min-
ing Company. It has a iiower i^lant equipped with a 100-horsepower
boiler, a 7-drill compressor, and an 8 by 12 double-cjdinder hoist,
capable of sinking 600 feet. The blacksmith shop is fitted with the
usual appliances for making repairs incident to the operation of a
plant of this character. A No. 9 Knowles iniinp is stationed at level
No. 3, and another No. 7 Knowles pump is used for sinking. These
pumps will drain the mines to a depth of GOO feet. All machineiy is
new and in xierfect working order. The development work comjileted
on the different levels, tunnels, drifts, crosscuts, etc., aggregate 2,277
feet. In addition to the above, 835 feet of diamond drill work has
been done. On lev^ No. 1 a hoisting station 20 by 27 by 11 feet has
been built. On levm No. 3 a station 7 by 10 by 40 feet has been built
and a sunij) 4 bj^ 5 by 10 feet has been broken out. The mine is
equipx)ed throughout Avith 10-inch air xiixies and 3-inch AA^ater jiijAes.
Idle air shaft and winze are timbered, as Avell as all the parts of the
mine Avhere the ground is loose. The develoimient Avork to date has
exploited the ledge for a length of 250 feet at a depth of 350 feet, and
has Oldened ui) a i)ay chute 490 ly 100 by 10^ feet, e(pialing 514,500
cubic feet, and, allowing 13 cubic feet to the ton, equals, apijroxi-
mately, 40,000 tons. It is inq)ossible to give an accurate estimate of
the Amlue of this body of ore, as the range of Aoxiue is so great.. The
assay returns from 25 tons taken from the ore dump, sanqiled at the
Reiiublic Reduction Works, Avent $24.12 x^erton. The assay returns
from 18 tons taken from No. 3 level (as bi’oken doAAm Avithout sorting),
samxxled at Granl)y Smelter, Avent $44 xxer ton. Results from the sam-
Xiles taken from the different leA^els aA^erages $21 xicr ton. On tins
basis 40,000 tons Avould have a gross value of $840,000, less $0 x^er ton
for mining, freight, and treatment, giving a net value of the ore in
sight of $600,000. Future develoxunent should oxxen iq) other ore
chutes, as 1,240 feet of the ledge is virgin ground. The ledge on leA^el
No. 3 is cleaner ore, and carries better values than on the uxq)er level.
The next proxiei'ties of imxxortance, taken in their order, are those
knoAvn as the Lone Pine-Surprise, San Foil, and Ben Ilur, all of which
have arriAT'd at tlie x>»*<>ducing stage, and on both the Lone Pine-Sur-
X>rise and Ben llurmuch in theAvayof deA^eloxnnent was accomxdished
during the year. On the San Poil there Avas nothing done during the
year 1900. Samxxle shix)ments, hoAvever, svere made to the Republic
Ikxwer and Cyaniding Comxiany Avith veiy satisfactory results. The
mine is develoxxed to a dexith of 400 feet and two tunnels, 500 feet
long, have been run on the loAver level, as Avell as 1,000 feet of drift-
ing. This pi’oxxerty and the Black Tail are oAvned by the same com-
])any and about the same amount of Avork has been done on each.
VVe then reach the Mountain Lion, which is, undoubtedly, second in
imx)ortance only to the Rexxublie as a xiroducing proxxerty. Although
the Tom Thumb mine shixuxed very little ore during the year 1900, it
is cax>able of l)eing a regular x^i’oducer. There is about 20,000 tons
of ore ready to stoxxe, averaging $15 in gold and $3 in sih^er. The
rRECIOlTS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
U)9
problem of treating this ore is yet unsolved by the owners of the
property.
In the early history of this camp, before tlie mines liad attained
any great deptli, the ores were believed to be most suitable for eyanid-
ing, but the character of the rock seems to be changing as the work-
ings reacli lower levels, and there are to-day thousands of tons of
smelting oi'es on the dumps awaiting the completion of rail transporta-
tion to the smelters. The ores being of a Iiighly siliceous character,
they will be much in demand for combination Avith those nearer the
boundary, which run liigh in iron and lead sulxiliites and carry consid-
erable silver. To bring this camp into greater activity and to place it
in tbe front mnk as a great wealtli-producing district, it only requires
the completion of rail facilities noAV under contemplation.
There is every prospect that active rail construction will begin
before the end of another year.
The Manila mine, at Keller, in the southwest portion of the county,
is undergoing considerable development work, and a high-grade gold-
copper ore has been uncovered.
STEVENS COUNTY.
The mines in this count}^ are the largest lead producers in the State
and also contribute a large proportion of the silver production.
A good deal of prospecting and development Acork has been done
in the county during the past year. It is estimated by conqietent
authorities that fully $200,000 Avas expended for assessment Avork on
tlie A^arious properties, Avliich demonstrates the confidence the people
liave in the future Amine of some of their mining iiroperties. The best
producing mines in the county are the Deer Trail No. 2, Bonanza,
Sihmr Queen, Zala M., Log Cabin, Conquest, Fannie Woodward, and
the Lake VieAv properties.
OKANOGAN COUNTY.
Development work is still progressing on the Palmer Mountain
tunnel, and, although the production amounted to \mry little, it Avas
not from lack of paying ore, but on account of their operations along
the line, of perfecting their poAver plant, and the general betterment
of the property.
Some Avork of a prospective nature Avas done on the Copper World,
in the Palmer Mountain district. A tunnel Avas started cross cutting
the copper vein at a depth of about 100 feet, which necessitated a tun-
nel of 225 feet in lengtli before the vein Avas reached, Avlien it encoun-
tered some 15 feet of fine ore, carrying gold and copper.
ExtensiAm development Avork Avas carried on in tlie Black Bear- War
Eagle mines during the year and seAmral shipments Avere made. This
property is furnished Avith one 5 and one 15 stamp mill.
The Ameilcan Flag property on Goat Creek, in the MethoAv district,
Avas dcAmloped during the year, and arrangements are about com-
pleted for the erection of a 20-stamp mill.
Near the American Flag mine is the Oriental mine, Avhich is also
being deAmloped.
The Tom Hal group of mines, also in the MethoAv district, owned
by the Tom Hal Mining Company, Avere extensiA^ely developed during
the year.
The Hidden Treasui'e mine, on SquaAv Creek, has500feetof tunnel,
a 50-foot AAunze, and 65 feet of drift. The mine is comxilete Avith
200
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
buildings and hoisting niacliiner}^ and shipped some high-grade ore to
tlie smelters during the year.
Adjoining the Hidden Treasure on the west is the Highland Liglit
mine, which has about 250 feet of shaft and 150 feet of drift. Tlie
Hunter mine, a low grade copper property on the western slope of
Johnson Mountain, has 200 feet of tnnneling and 70 feet of winze.
In this district the London, another low-grade copper and gold pro^i-
erty, is being developed.
Here, following, are some of the mines that have contributed to the
output of Okanogan County: The Black Bear- War Eagle mine, in
the Winnicut Lake district; the Hidden Treasure, in the Squaw Creek
district; and the Boston Bojq Cracker Jack, Eureka, Emma, and
Pedro Placer mines, in the Myers Creek district.
CHELAN COUNTY.
Ill the Chelan mining district some development work is being done
on tlie following properties: The Horseshoe-Davenport group, situ-
ated at the head of the Steliekin River, in the Horseshoe Basin. There
is a tunnel being run on the vein that will gain foot for foot. The
vein is one of the largest fissures in the Cascade Range, cutting through
the mountain for miles, and is from 20 to GO feet wide. On the Daven-
port and Horseshoe claims the ore chute on the surface is over 1,000
feet in length. The shipping ore, which is silver, lead, and copper, is
from 18 inches to 4 feet wide, with from 5 to 20 feet of high-grade
concentrating ore in the vein, the first-class ore averaging from 50 to
60 per cent lead, 50 to GO ounces of silver, and from 3 to 7 jier cent
copper.
The Black Warrior and Blue Devil vein lies about 4,000 feet south
of the Davenport vein, and parallel. The vein is being developed
b}^ a cross-cut tunnel, and the character of the ore is silver, lead, and
copper, copper predominating.
There Js considerable development work being done on several
properties on the north fork of Bridge Creek, a tilbutary of the Ste-
hekin River. The character of the ore is silver, gold, lead, and
copper.
On Railroad Creek, a tributar^^ of Lake Chelan, the Holden propertj^
is being developed b}’’ a large tunnel, and grading has been com-
menced for a railroad to the mines. The vein is a large body of con-
centrating ore carrying gold, silver, and copper.
The Crown Point Mining Company is doing extensive development
work on their group on Railroad Creek.
The Copper King groui) was developed by seveial tunnels and open
cuts on the surface. The ore occurs in a “blow-out” or dike, and
there were some very rich streaks found, but as j^et the}^ have not led to
anj’^ great body of ore. Euture development is expected to dis-
close some very large bodies of high-grade ore, carrying high gold
values in tellurium — judging from indications. Down in the south-
western part of the county — that imrtion formerl}^ belonging to Kitti-
tas County — the producing mines ai‘e the AVarrior General and the
l^olepick, in the Peshastin district.
KITTITAS COUNTY.
Kittitas County is a regular contributor to the State’s production,
the same coming from the placei’ mines in the Swank. Reports
received show that extensive development, work is being done and
that) the output is somewhat larger than that of 1899.
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
201
ASOTIN COUNTY.
The production of Asotin County conies from the placers in tlie
Snake River district. Very little is being- taken out, owing to the
desultory waj" in which the work is prosecuted.
LINCOLN COUNTY.
Lincoln County has some promising properties rich in silver, and
several small shipments were made to the smelters during 1000.
Among those making shipments was the Pennsylvania mine, in the
Pitney-Butte district. The formation is granite and porpliju-y, and
the ore carries gold, silver, copper, and a small percentage of lead.
The bars along the Columbia River contribute placer dust to the
county’s output.
The counties on the western slope of the Cascade Range either
actual or prospective contributors to the State’s production are
Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, King, and Pierce.
WHATCOM COUNTY.
The principal district in this countj^ so far as actual production is
concerned, is the Slate Creek, the best developed mine being the
Eureka, on which a 10-stamp mill capable of handling 40 tons of ore
daily is in steady operation. The ore is free-milling gold, canying
large amounts of black tellurides and some sulphides. Other impor-
tant properties are those of the Mammoth Gold Mining Company,
Ninety-nine Gold Mining Company, Gold Standard Mining Company,
and the JMountain Goat and Whistler groups of mines. The Mam-
moth Gold Mining Company has done about 1,200 feet of development
work on its propert}^ and has a 5-stamp mill of 15 tons daily capacity.
A 20-stamp mill will be erected during 1901.
The Ninety-nine Gold Mining Company has about 500 -feet of
develojiment work done on its property. During the past year
arrangements were made for the erection of a 5-stamp mill during
the present year.
The character of the ore is the same as those mentioned above.
The Gold Standard group is being largely developed. The ore is
the same as that of the Mammoth and is in fact an extension of that
ledge. A 10-stamp mill has been purchased foi‘ this property.
The Mountain Goat group has a good strong ledge developed b}^ two
levels, giving a depth of 300 feet. A 5-stamp mill is on the property.
The Whistler group has performed over 300 feet of development
work and an order has been placed for a 10-stam}) mill, which will be
in operation early in the coming year.
There are several other properties in this district under various
stages of development. The formation of the district is quartzite and
porplyuy. The prosecution of mining in the district is accomplished
under many difficulties — all fi-eight reaching it from the east side of
the Cascade Range, although the mines are on the west side and it
has to be taken over the summit, which is 0,300 feet above tide water.
The trail from the east side was made b}^ the mine owners at a cost of
about $40,000. There is a trail to the camp following up the Skagit
Valley from Marblemount on the west side, but it is a poor one and
not fit for taking heavily loaded ])ack trains over. Both Skagit and
Whatcom counties have assisted in con.sl.ructing this west-side trail,
but the mine owners and prospectors have done most of the work at
202
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
their own expense. An effort was made two years ago to get an
appropriation from the State, bnt it failed. Considering the difficulty
of reaching the district, the canij) has made good ijrogress; still it
would be mnch more progressive if the west-side route was such that
freight could be taken direct to the camx) from Seattle.
In the Mount Baker district several promising properties are being
developed. The Post-Lambert group is sufficient!}^ developed for a
mill, but owing to the remoteness of tlie district none as }"et has been
installed. During the past year several small shipments of sorted ore
were made to the smelters from the district, $400 per ton being tlie
returns received on same. The ore is liigh grade, free-milling gold;
the formation of the district is diorite.
SNOHOMISH COUNTY.
Tlie jirincipal mining districts in this county are the Monte Cristo,
Index, Silver Creek, Sultan, Stillaguamish, Darrington, and Trouble-
some.
The best producing mines in the county are those at Monte Cristo,
which have remained idle for three or four years on account of the
washing out of the Everett and Monte Cristo Railroad. During the
latter part of the year, however, the rebuilding of this road was com-
lileted and actual o]ierations were commenced on these valuable
properties.
The reopening of the Monte Cristo mines on August 1, 1000, after
the long period of idleness, marked the beginning of a new and pi’os-
perous era in the mining industry of this county. Although hardly
under way as yet, the shipments of ore average about 000 tons jier
month, carrying an average value of $18 per ton. These mines will
undoubted iy contribute largely to W ashington’s production of precious
metals, and especially increase the silver output fi-om now on.
The Forty-five Consolidated Mining Company did much develo})-
ment work on its property in the Sultan district during the season, and
shipped some 300 tons of ore to the Everett smelter, with satisfactory
results. Although the tonnage was small, it was not from the scarcity
of paying oi*e, but rather on account of the changes being made in its
plant and the installation of new machinery. Over 2,500 feet of shaft-
ing and tunneling were completed and a large amount of ore blocked
out. Every indication points toward extensive operations during the
ensuing year.
Considerable development work was performed on the properties
of the Sultan Mining Company in the Sultan district.
Development work on the Sunset mine, in the Index district, was
actively jirosecuted, and the property now has about 1,500 feet of
drifts, tunnels, and crosscuts. Two new ore bodies were taliped, show-
ing the same character of chalcopyrite ore, averaging 6 to 8 per cent
in copper, with small value in gold and silvei'. It is the intention of
tbe management to put in a concentrating iilant next year. Other
promising properties in this district are the Copper Bell and Ethel
mines. Considerable development work was done on the Ethel dur-
ing the year.
The ])ai-rington district was the scene of extensive preparatory work
during tlie past year. The Elwell-Darrington property on Ihilmer
Mountain is the best developed mine in the district. A tunnel has
been run in at a depth of 500 feet and another at 700 feet, the vein
crosscut in each instance exposing a large body of ore. The mine is
equipped with the customary blacksmilJi shops, bunk houses, etc.
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
‘203
Arrangements are complete foi* t,lie erection of a suitable building for
the 50-ton reduction plant reccmtlj^ purcliased.
In the Silver (h-eek district development work was pei-formed on
the prox)erties of the Silver Ch-eek jUining Com|)an3^ Other pi’Oixu-ties
in this district on which work was x)ushed during the j^ear are the
lioiianza, Ontario, and the Queen Anne groui). On the Bonanza
about 800 feet of tunneling and di-ifting Avas done, which makes a
total of 2,000 feet of develoiAiuent work accomidished, ojAening n]> some
extensive ledges of good ore.
The work on the Ontario consisted of 300 feet of tunneling and
drifting. On the (^neen Anne groni) about 250 feet of tunneling was
done, oj)ening up a large ledge running high in copper and gold.
In Skagit, King, and Pierce counties considerable develoi>ment Avork
Avas ])erfonned during the pastjmar. The Cascade mining district, in
Skagit Count}', Avas the scene of acti\'ity in mining ox>erations.
In Pierce County development Avork Avas performed on Amrions
])ropertiesinthe Mashell, Tahoma, and Carbon River districts, notably
on the Surj)i*ise mine, a copper x>rox)erty, OAvned by the Washington
CooperatiA'e JMining Syndicate.
In King County considerable deA^elox)ment aatu'Iv was accomx)lished
on X)roi)erties in tlie Summit, Golden Tunnel, and Salmon Creek min-
ing districts. The Golden Tunnel mine, in the Golden Tunnel district,
Avas snpx^lied during tlie year Avitli a 30-ton cax^acity Montgomery
])ulverizer mill, and about 4,250 feet of steel aerial tram Avas built.
Development Avork was done on the Highland Fling and MayfloAver
properties, in Salmon Creek district, oAAUied by the YelloAv Jacket
Mining Comxmny.
Production of Gold and Sila’er in Washington (Origin Detailed) during
THE Calendar Year 1900.
Ori^rin.
Gold.
Silver.
Total v;i ;ie.
Fine ounces.
Value.
Fine ounces.
Coining
value.
Placer bullion
Mill bullion
Copper ores
4,768.32T>
18,209.630
198,570.02
370,426.46
1,0441. 20
24,836.30
2, 0(K1
146,300
128,390.23
$1,348.78
32,111.58
2,585. 86
189, 155. 55
165,999.49
$99,918.80
408,538.04
2, 585. 86
189, 155. 55
423,439.89
Lead ores
Dry ores and concentrat<!S
classified as smelting ores .
Total---
12,453.679
257,440.40
35,431.634
732, 436. 88
302,569.73
391,201.26
1,123,6:38.14
Bullion of Washington Production Deposited at the United States
Mints and Assay Offices during the Calendar Year 1900.
Gold.
Silver.
Institution.
Standard
ounces.
A^alue. *
Standard
ounces.
Coining
value.
Total value.
Mints:
Philadelphia
492. 494
$9, 162. 68
158.34
$184.25
$9,346.93
San Francisco
2,304.979
42, 883. 33
6,872.46
7,997.04
.50,880. 37
Assay offices:
Boise
193.314
3, 596. 54
44.:38
51.64
3,648.18
Helena..-
156. 775
2,916.74
51.50
59. 93
2, 97'6. 67
New York
a51. 219
6,5:34.31
123. G)
14:3. 13
6, 677. 44
Seattle
5,831.257
108,488.50
2, 494. W)
2,902.81
111,391.31
Total
9,330.038
173,582.10
9, 744. 28
11,338.80
184,920.90
204
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
Disposition op Gold and Silver of Washington Production during the
Calendar Year 1900.
Disposition.
Gold.
Silver.
Total value.
Fine ounces.
Value.
Pine ounces.
Coining
value.
Deposited at the United
States mints and assay
offices
8,397.0ai
27,034.600
$173,582. 10
5.58,8;54.78
8, 769. 85
293, 799. 88
$11,338.80
379,862.46
$184,920.90
938,717.24
Shipped to custom smelters
and refineries hy produ-
cers
Total.. -
35,431.634
732,4:36.88
302,569,73
391,201.26
1,123,638.14
Deposits of Gold Bullion at the United States Assay Office, Seattle,
Wash., during the Calendar Year 1900.
Gold.
Silver.
Source.
Standard
oimces.
Value.
Standard
ounces.
Coining
value,
Total value.
Alaska
228,813.184
$4,256,989.47
29,855.49
$:31,740.93
$4,291,730.40
California
35.973
669. 26
7.12
8.28
677.54
Idaho
292. 795
5,447.35
42. 71
49. 70
5,497.05
Montana
4. 715
87.72
2.17
2.52
90.24
Oregon
190. 822
3,5.50. 18
58.31
67. 85
3,618.03
South Dakota
7.211
134.16
.28
.33
1:34.49
Washington
5,831.257
108, 488. .50
2,494.60
2,902.81
111,:591.31
British Columbia
35,359.544
357,8.51.98
8,07,3.11
9,394. 16
667,246.14
Northwest Territory
897,030. 430
16,688,938.23
221,288.08
257,498.86
16, 946, 437. 09
Mexico
5.055
94.05
2.80
3.26
97. 31
Jewelry
Mutilated domestic gold coin
Foreign coin
142. 991
5.000
2, 660. 29
93.03
38.06
44.29
2, 704. 58
93.0:i
443.366
8,248.67
.86
1.00
8,249.67
Total
1,168,162.343
21,733,252.89
261,863.59
304,713. 99
22, 0:37, 966. 88
Redeposits
42. 189
784.91
37.81
44. (K)
828.91
• Grand total
1,168,204.532
21,734,037.80
261,901.40
304,757,99
22,038,795.79
WYOMING.
By Franklin R. Carpenter, M. A., Ph. D.,
Mining and Metallurgical Engineer.
T estimate the gold and silver output for Wyoming for the }"ear 1900
to be as follows :
Fine ounces.
Gold 4,650
Silver 10,222
The gold production of Wyoming comes mainly from placers, but
there are certain mines whose principal output is copper that yields
some gold and silver as a by-product. The most important district is
known as Grand Encampment, in Cabbon County. This district takes
its name from the town of Encampment, which, it is supposed, will
become the commercial center of the section. This district adjoins
Colorado upon the north, and the productive area extends south into
Colorado.
The principal mines occur within a radius of 30 miles of the town of
Encampment. The ores are mainly lenses of very high grade copper
sulphide, occurring in granite. Among the best known are the Ferris-
Hagerty and the Rambler, to the west. These two have been the
largest shippers. To the east of Encampment are found the New
Rambler, Beaver, Bean Mining Company, Evening Star, Cox, Bay
Horse, Ruby, and Hawk-Eye mines, all of more or less importance.
The principal output of all the mines of the district is copper, but the
ores, nevertheless, carry gold and silver, which are recovered in the
copper refining process, and which finally go into circulation, and
sh(5uld, therefore, be credited to Wyoming. While I have given the
subject close attention, I have been entirely unable to get actual figures
of this gold and silver product. Some of the ores are so low in precious
metals that the smelters, while recovering them, make no returns of
their value, nor is it paid for as gold or silver. In some instances,
however, the ores carry as high as $12 per ton in gold. I received
many widely varying statements, and have had some assays made upon
ores from the section, but am unable to state definitely what the aver-
age actually is. Other mines, like the Hawk-E^^e and Evening Star,
are white quartz mines, whose value is mainly gold. They have as yet
produced nothing.
The Ida mines, upon Douglas Creek, which section is tributaiy to
this, shows a fair grade of gold-copper ore, selected samples of which
give very high results, sometimes exceeding $100 per ton in value.
There is one concentrating plant for the treatment of low-grade ore,
namely, the Kurtz-Chatterdon, but its output will belong to the pres-
ent, rather than the past year. The Elk Mountain Company claim for
their ore a gold value of $5 per ton. The silver, in all ins ances, is
low, not often exceeding 1 ounce per ton of ore, but as this is also
recovered in the refining, -I have allowed for it.
205
206
PKECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
In other sections of Wyoming, as, for instance, that adjoining the
town of Lusk, this same, or very similar, quartz bed has been worked
for silver. In one instance a mill was erected for its extraction.
The contents of the ore, however, were too low to pay by an}^ proc-
ess and the venture ciime to aught.
The most promising silver-gold mining section, however, in the
entire State is, in my opinion, the Wind River section, located in the
western part. The veins here are numerous, well defined, and carry
high gold and silver values. They are Similar to the fissure veins of
the ordinary type, found in other parts of the great Rocky Mountain
range. They more closely resemble those of Summit County, Colo-
rado, than others known to the writer. The principal owners are
Schnitzel & Co. , of Lead City, S. Dak. Their development is retarded
wholly by want of transportation facilities. Ultimately they must
become very valuable.
From the sketch above given it will be observed that lode mining
for the precious metals in Wyoming is more a matter of promise than
of performance. The prod uction at present consists almost exclusively
of the gold and silver produced as a by-product from deposits that
are worked primarily for copper.
PLACER MINING.
There are several districts in Wyoming in which placer gold mining
has been carried on for a number of }mars. The Four-Mile Placer
district is about 60 miles south of Rawlins and just north of the divid-
ing line between Wyoming and Colorado. It is a very large section,
probably exceeding 40 miles square, and while it consists of very rich
ground, it is usually very shallow and is difficult to work on account
of the small fall, which provides no dump for the waste material. It
is proposed to bring water to these placers Ijy means of a ditch, which
must needs l)e at least 40 miles long. When this is done, the district
is capable of adding very greatly to the gold production of Wyoming.
A more important placer mining district is that near Atlantic City,
in the South Pass section. It is operated by a company known locally
as the “Rig French Company.” They have brought water from a
l)ranch of the Green River, at a veiy heav}^ expense, and while the
gold is known to exist in considerable (quantity, the production has not,
as yet, been very great. There are, also, in this district, a few lode
claims, but they are in the main undeveloped.
A third ])lacer mining district exists, in the northeast part of the
State, where a portion of the uplift known in South Dakota as the
I51ack Hills, passes over the line into this State. Like all other parts
of the Black Hills, it is gold bearing, l)ut the entire product comes
from placers. While the area is quite small, it has been worked
since 1876. 4'he gold is very coarse, and in the language of the miner,
“has not traveled far,” but all attempts at locating its source have
failed. The area of gold-bearing schists exposed is only about 4 miles
square. Fverywhei'e around this ai-ea they are covered by the Cam-
brian quartzite, which, also, at one time covered the exposed area.
Here, as in other jiarts of the hills, this quartzite was derived l)y an
advancing ocean directly from the underlying gold-bearing slates.
The lodes from which this gold was derived Imve probably not yet
been exposed by the erosion now going on, and the gold came into
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
207
these guleiies by wa}" of the quartzite, exactly as at Deadwood. If this
theory is true, a vein corresponding' to the Iloinestake should exist
beneath the quartzite, and just south of the area that is exposed. The
placers are worked only in the spring, when the melting snows give
the necessary water. Not only the gulches, but the hill placers also,
show gold in j)aying quantities, and it has long been proposed to bring
water from Sand Creek for their working, but the great cost of such
an enterprise will prevent its realization. The most notable thing
al)out this placer gold is its intimate association with tinstone, so that,
while the mines are worked primarily for gold, quantities of tinstone
are also obtained, of which the present writer has smelted many pounds.
^ R T II.
PRODUCTION OF GOLD AND SILVER IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES.
01 11
209
PRODUCTION OF GOLD AND SILVER IN FOREIGN
COUNTRIES.
AFRICA.
The gold production of Africa, which in 1898 furnished $80,128,485,
or nearly 28 per cent of the world’s product, dropped in 1900 to the
comparatively insignificant figure of $8,671,943, a loss of 89 per cent.
This was the direct result of the war in the Transvaal.
The following table shows whence the output has been derived since
1889:
Year.
Transvaal.
West
Coast.
French colo-
nies.»
Rhodesia.*>
Total.
Weight.
Value.
Weight.
Value.
Weight.
Value.
Weight.
Value.
Weight.
Value.
1889 ....
Kilos.
11,719
S7, 788, 372
Kilos.
1,270
5844,262
Kilos.
261
5173, 161
Kilos.
(“)
Kilos.
13, 250
58, 80(i, 095
1890 ....
15, 706
10, 438, 356
1,062
705, 705
261
173, 461
(“)
17, 029
11,317,622
1891 . . .
22, 398
14,885,639
1,289
856, 730
261
173, 461
(“)
23, 948
15, 915, 830
1892 ....
34,938
23, 220, 108
1,528
1,011,924
<1261
173,461
U)
36, 722
24, 405, 493
1893 ....
42,573
28,293,831
•in
649, 695
261
173, 461
(»)
43, 811
29,116,987
1894 ....
59, 730
39, 696, 330
865
574, 653
261
173,461
(')
60,856
40, 444, 444
1895....
66, 045
43, 893, 300
995
661, 630
261
173,461
(b
67, 301
44, 728, 391
1896 ....
65, 874
43,779,669
945
627, 938
261
173, 461
V)
” 67,080
44,581,068
1897 ....
86, 720
57, 633, 861
751
499, 311
640
425, 510
(“)
88,111
58, 558, 682
1898 ....
119,190
79,213,953
518
343, 928
189
125, 987
669
5444, 617
120, 566
80,128. 185
1899 ....
107,410
71,384,561
422
280, 185
344
■ 228, 512
1,70011,129,773
109, 876
73, 023, 031
1900 ....
9,215
6, 124, 226
326
216, 873
1, 115
741,029
2, 392jl, 589, 815
13, 048
8,671,943
» Includes Madagascar, Algeria, and the French Soudan,
i* Includes Mozambique, Cape Colony, Zululand, and Natal.
" Previous to 1898 Rhodesia and Mozambique together produced 289 kilograms fine, included in the
Tran.svaal returns.
d Previous to 1897 the only figure.s obtainable were those for 1892, Madagascar only.
Even with the losses of war, the Transvaal continues to be the prin-
cipal gold-producing field in Africa. There has been notable progress
in the French colonies and Rhodesia, as shown by the following table,
where the results of 1898 are taken for comparison to eliminate the
influence of the war:
Country.
1900.
1898.
Increase.
Decrease.
Transvaal
56, 124, 2‘26
216,873
741,029
1,589, 815
579,213,953
343, 928
125, 987
444,617
573, 089, 727
127, 055
West Coast
Krimch Colojiies
5615, 042
1,145, 198
Rhodesia
Total
8,671,943
80, 128, 485
1, 760, 240
73,216,782
71,456,542
Net decrea.se
211
212
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
THE TRANSVAAL.
The total production of gold in the Transvaal during 1900 was 348,760
ounces, as given by L’Economiste Europeen (September 20, 1901, p.
383). The latter’s figures for the last three months of 1899 and the
first five months of 1900 are embodied in the following table, which
shows the annual production of the Witwatersrand, by months, since
1894:
Mouth.
1894.
1895.
1896.
1897.
♦
1898.
1899.
1900.
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Total
Ounces.
149, 814
151, 870
165,372
168,745
169, 773
168, 162
167,953
174, 977
176, 707
173, 378
175, 304
182, 104
Ounces.
177, 463
169, 295
184, 945
186, 323
194, 580
200, 941
199, 453
203, 573
194, 764
192, 652
195,218
178, 428
Ounces.
148, 178
167, 018
173, 952
176, 707
195, 008
193, 640
203, 873
213,418
202, 561
199, 889
201,113
206, 517
Ounces.
209, 832
211,000
232, 066
235, 698
248, 305
251,529
242, 479
259, 603
262, 150
274, 175
297, 124
310, 712
Ounces.
313, 827
297, 976
325, 908
335, 125
344, 160
344, 671
359, 344
376, 912
384,080
400, 791
393,311
419, 504
Ounces.
410, 145
404, 335
441, 578
439, 111
444, 933
445, 763
456, 474
459, 709
411, 762
26,904
55,941
68,525
Ounces.
80,785
64,408
84, 546
54, 772
64, 249
2, 024, 159
2, 277, 635
2, 281, 874
3, 034, 673
4,295,609
4,065, 180
348, 760
Thus it is seen that the loss of the gold production through the war
in Transvaal exceeded 3,700,000 ounces, or $73,000,000, amounting to
92 per cent of the production of 1898. Measured by the standard
reached in 1899 the loss must have been still greater, since a compari-
son of the nine months preceding the outbreak of hostilities with the
corresponding months of 1898 shows an excess of 831,813 ounces, or
27 per cent in 1899 over 1898. Since May, 1900, there are no returns,
operations evidently having been totally suspended.
The following table shows the annual output of the mines from the
opening dill the end of 1900:
Gold Production of the Witwatersrand.
Year.
Quantity.
Year.
Quantity.
1887
Ounces.
23, 125
208, 122
369,557
42,000
494,817
729,268
1,210,869
1,478, 477
1894
Ounces.
2,024,164
2, 277, 640
2, 280, 892
3, 034, 679
4, 295, 609
4,065,180
348, 760
22, 883, 159
1888
1895
1889
1896
Estimated unrecorded production,
1887, 1888, 1889
1897
1898
1890 .'
1899
1891
1900
1892
Total
1893
The gold product of the Transvaal has heretofore been calculated
by this Bureau at $17.56 per ounce, crude, representing an average
fineness of 0.8491^. Three hundred and forty-eight thousand seven
hundred and sixty ounces, at $17.56 per ounce, would give a value of
$6,124,226, representing 296,260 ounces, or 9,215 kilograms, fine.
The corrected figures of the product for 18519 show 4,065,180 ounces
instead of 4,081,991 ounces, crude, which reduces the value of the
product of 1899 to $71,384,561, representing 107,410 kilograms, fine.
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
218
RANDT AND TAKKWA CONTRAST.
[From The Statist, London, July 13, 1901.]
In an interesting pamphlet of reprints of contributions made by M. Henri Dupont
to the Revue Sud Africaine, at pages 52-53 we find some particulars especially wortli
reproduction. M. Dupont sets out how on the Kandt, in six years to 1898, inclusive,
with increased volume of crushing, the grade of ore declined, while the expenses
per ton were diminished to a greater extent than the falling off in the value per ton
of the ore treated, with a net outcome of gradual increase in the profit per ton. The
figures are as follows:
Year.
Tons milled.
Value.
Ex-
penses.
Profit.
1894
1,987,000
2, 588, 605
2,518,581
2, 663, 523
4, 295, 609
s. d.
46 7
s. d.
35 0
s. d.
11 0
1895
43 2
30 0
12 2
1896
41 0
29 6
11 6
1897
41 1
27 5.1
16 6
1898
41 4
27 1.4
21 2
WEST COAST OF AFRICA.
The product of the west coast of Africa is assumed to equal the
amount of its bullion exports to (rreat Britain during the year.
Gold Imported into England prom the West Coast op Africa since 1889.
Year.
1889
1890
1891
1892
1893
1894
1895
1896
1897
1898
1899
1900
Weight.
Weight,
fine.
Standard
(9161).
Fine.
Value.
Ounces.
44,554
Ounces.
40,841.17
$844, 262
Kilograms.
1,270
37,242
34, 138. 50
705, 705
1,062
45, 212
41,444.33
856, 730
1,289
53,402
48,951.83
1,011,924
1,523
34,286
31,429.00
649, 695
977
30, 326
27,798.83
574, 653
865
34,916
32,006.33
661,630
995
33, 138
30,376.50
627, 938
945
26, 350
24,154.17
499,311
751
18, 150
16,637.50
.343, 928
618
14, 786
13, 553. 93
. 280, 185
422
11,445
10,491.25
216,873
326
WEST AFRICAN GOLD MINING.
[From The Mining World and Engineering Record, London, January 19, 1901.]
About three years have elapsed since we informed our readers that a few promi-
nent capitalists in the city — not- of the class usually identified with gold mining
projects — were turning their attention to the development of the gold resources of
west Africa, a region known to be enormously rich in the precious metal, but which
for various reasons was almost entirely neglected at the time by the British investor.
That a great gold industry existed there for generations past is well known. Mr.
George McDonald, in the volume he has published, goes so far as to say that gold to
the value of £600,000,000 has been won from this corner of the Dark Continent.
The operations w'ere conducted mostly by natives, and all over the country there
are evidences of the extent to which they worked. Now, it is a well-known fact
that the natives considered ore yielding less than about 2 ounces to the ton unprofit-
able, and even this class of ore they could only work with the primitive appliances
they possessed at or near the surface. Hence it may be fairly assumed that the
auriferous territories of the Gold Coast Colony and Ashanti have so far only been
very partially scratched, and their actual gold-producing potentiality will be dem-
onstrated in the years that are to come.
214
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
The obstacles that have hitherto caused the white “gold seeker” to leave west
Africa very much alone are likely soon to be nonexistent. Chief among these is the
transport difliculty, and the colonial government has authorized the immediate expen-
diture of £733,500 for the extension of the railway from Tarkwa to Kumasi.
Mr. Chamberlain has expressed his firm conviction that the gold industry in the
colony is going to be “a most solid, valuable, and profitable one,” and recognizing
the colonizing power of gold discovery and what it has done for South Africa, Aus-
tralia, and California, the colonial secretary is prepared to afford every assistance in
his power to those who are seeking to open up and turn to account the treasures of
west Africa. The construction of the railway has been intrusted to Messrs. Shel-
ford & Son, who are making a great effort to expedite the Avork, and within the
next two years it Avill probably have reached Kumasi and be open for the convey-
ance of machinery. It is intended, however, to open sections of the line as the
work of construction proceeds. The line from Sekondi to Tarkwa is probably by
this time nearly completed. Another factor that has prevented the systematic
development of mining properties in west Africa by Europeans in the past has been
the climate. The Gold Coast, in fact, has been looked upon as the “white man’s
grave.” This idea, however, has now been exploded, or at any rate modified to such
a degree that it may be regarded as little more than a bogey. In the low-lying dis-
tricts near the coast the climate is certainly unfavorable for Europeans, necessitating
strict abstinence and the utmost attention to hygienic rules, but in many parts of
Ashanti the climate is positively salubrious. Malaria does exist, but it is of a very
mild form. Tropical scourges, such as plague, cholera, yellow fever, typhoid, etc.,
are practically unknown.
*******
It has now been proved beyond a doubt that similar formations exist in West
Africa to those met with on the Witwatersrand. Some of the best experts on the
Rand, taking advantage of the enforced idleness of the mines there, have, during last
year, visited the gold coast, and investigated its auriferous areas on behalf of the
big South African houses. The result of this investigation has been to prove the
existence of a banket formation superior in quality and capable of being more easily
worked than that of the Rand. As a matter of fact, one mine — the Wassau — has
crushed over 50,000 tons of banket, which yielded 45,500 ounces of gold, irrespective
of the tailings, which are said to contain 5 pennyweights or 6 pennyweights per ton.
It is an astonishing fact that this banket has been worked in Wassau for many years,
and no one — not even the engineers there — knew that it was exactly similar to the
conglomerate formation worked on the Rand. The discovery was made by Mr.
Struben, the gentleman who discovered the Witwatersand, who happened by mere
chance to see a specimen from the Wassau property in an office in the city.
FRENCH COLONIES.
ALGERIA.
Algeria produces no gold. The silver product for 1899 amounted
to 200 kilograms fine, of the United States coining value of $8,312.
MADAGASCAR.
The official information on the subject of the gold production of
Madagascar is somewhat conflicting. According to information from
the French minister of pnldic works, received through the Hon.
Horace Porter, United States ambassador at Paris, the gold product
for 1899 was given at 344 kilograms, valued at 1,184,000 francs, repre-
senting $228,512; and for 1900, 1,115 kilograms, of a value exceeding
3,000,000 francs, representing $741,029, the United States value in
each case, being computed from the stated weight of the product.
Upon reference to the report of the French mint for 1901 (p. 109),
it appears that the sum 1,184', 000 francs represents the value of the
exports for 1899, viz., 423 kilograms, estimated at 2.80 francs per
gram, which is equal to $540.26 per kilogram and corre.sponds to a
fineness of 0.812. At this rate of fineness, 423 kilograms crude,
appear to correspond to 344 kilograms fine.
PKECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
215
But the chief of the iiuning- service at Madaga.scar, in liis report to
the governor of the colony, gives the value of the exports for the
same year at 1,070,825.70 francs and values the gram at 2.70 francs,
(L’Economiste Europeen, August 17, 1901, p. 223). This would cor-
respond to 397 kilograms crude, of an estimated Hneness of 0.783.
The same valuation was adopted l)y him in computing the quantity
of the product of 1900 from the value of the exports given as 3,009,-
160.80 francs, the result being 1,115 kilograms (more exactl}^ 1,111:.501:
kilograms). This tigui’e appears in the report of the director of the
French mint and is also reproduced from the report of the chief of
the mines, department of Madagascar, by L’Economiste Europeen, and
the Board of Trade Journal (May 16, 1901, pp. 383-384).
It is thus apparent that the hgure for 1900 represents crude gold of
an estimated hneness of 0.783. This value was hxed l)y the decree of
July 20, 1896; it is thought, however, by the same authority, to be
much below the true value, which amounts, at Madagascar, to 3 francs,
or 3.10 francs, corresponding to a hneness of 0.869, or 0.899.
It is considered that the estimated value of the exports of unrehned
gold must, of necessity, be in the nature of a conjecture ; little reliance
can be placed on the hgures of the gold production for Madagascar.
The Gold Mines of Madagascar.
[From L’Economiste Europ6en, August 17, 1901, p. 223 — Translation.]
Chief Monneyres, of the mining service at Madagascar, has recently submitted to
the governor of the colony his report, wherein he says that the large increase in the
gold production of the colony which marked the year 1899 as compared with the
year 1898 was maintained at the same rate in 1900. The same applies to exports, so
that within the two years last past the quantity of gold exported from Madagascar
was increased nearly tenfold. Following are the figures of exports for the last three
years:
Francs.
1898 338,522.16
1899 1,070,825.70
1900 3,009,160.80
The last figure represents, at the rate of 2.70 francs per gram, the quantity of
1,114. 504 kilograms. The rate was fixed by the decree of July 20, 1896. It is, how-
ever, much below the true value, which amounts at Madagascar to 3 or 3. 1 francs.
Of the above quantity the several concerns of Ampasary contributed 538.811 kilo-
grams, leaving 575.963 kilograms for all other concerns.
This amount, compared with the total of 386.390 kilograms for the year 1899, shows
that even without the lucky discovery of Ampasary, which has nearly doubled the
production, the output of other concerns increased within 1900 at the rate of 50 per
cent.
The characteristics of the movement of the mining industry in 1900 were as follows:
(1) The discovery and operation of a very extended layer, far richer than those
operated heretofore (Ampasary).
(2) As a consequence a rapid increase, but of short duration, of the number of
workings.
(3) As a further consequence of the same discovery an important revival of pros-
jiecting for gold mines, which is full of promise, already partly satisfied, of new dis-
coveries of rich layers.
(4) A large increase of the quantity of gold exported.
(5) Absence of notable improvement in the processes of extraction.
The latest prospecting operations undertaken since the discovery of the Ampasary
layers seem to have borne fruit. New layers, though not as rich as those of Ampa-
sary, paying still more than the old layers of the high jilateau, have been discovered
in the east. As to the Ampasary layer, there is reason to think that it is far from
being exhausted.
BRITISH COLONIES.
The total gold product of the British colonies in Africa for 1900
amounted to 2,391.98 kilograms, of the value of $1,589,815.
216
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
CAPE COLONY.
The United States consul at Cape Town reports that the product of
old for 1900 for that colony was 3.932 kilograms, valued at £492
^2,394), representing 3.6 kilograms fine.
NATAL.
The product of gold reported from Cape Town for the colon}" of
Natal for 1900 was 405 kilograms, valued at £52, equal to $253, repre-
, senting 0.38 kilogram fine.
Following is an extract from the report on the mining industry of
Natal for the year 1899:
At the end of 1899 prospecting for gold was almost at a standstill, all the gold
fields being threatened by the Boers with the exception of that near Umzinto.
The output of gold for the year was 61 2 ounces, 42 ounces being obtained from Mr.
Household’s mine on the Umsinga gold field and 191 ounces from Mr. Faux’s mining
lease on the Umzinto gold field, formerly the Natal Gold Mining Company’s property.
Gold Pkoduction.
NATAL.
Year. i
Ounces.
Year.
Ounces.
1889
350
1895
139
1890
276
1896
42
1891
124
1897
40
1892
59
1898
17
1893
48
1899
6U
1894
66
ZULULAND.
1889
1894
784
1890
1895
264
1891
•No record.
1896
1,174
1892
1897
57
1893
RHODESIA.
The report from the Rhodesia chamber of mines gives the xiroduct of
gold for 1900 at 91,850 ounces, which at $17.28 (the average value per
ounce crude) gives a value of $1,587,168 corresponding to 2,388 kilo-
grams fine.
The following table is given showing the product by months.
Rhodesia Chamber of Mines Gold Report.
[From retiirn.s furnished by the companies.]
OUTPUT FOR 1900.
Month.
Quantity.
Mouth.
Quantity.
.January
O2S. dwts.
5, 242 7
6, 232 15
6,285 16
5, 456 0
6, 553 12
6, 185 9
5,737 12
August
Ozs. dxuts.
10,137 15
10,749 10
10,545 0
9,351 12
9, 373 1
February
September
March
October
Ai>ril
November
May
December
June
Total
91,850 9
July
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
217
ITALIAN EAST AFRICA.
GOLD DEPOSITS IN ERYTHREA.
[From The Board of Trade Journal, January 17, 1901, p. 157.]
A dispatch has been received at the foreign office from His Majesty’s ambassador
at Rome, reporting that Sig. Fusinato, under secretary of state for foreign affairs,
stated in the Chamber of Deputies on December 15, last, that a concession to work
the gold deposits in Erythrea was granted on June 8 last to a company designated
the “Society Eritrea per le Miniere Aurifere,” with a capital of 2,000,000 lire
(£80,000), half to be Italian, and under the direction of a council of administration to
be presided over by an Italian subject, of which the majority must be Italians. Sig.
Fusinato added that the most important points conceded to the society are: The right
of subterranean search in three plots of land, each plot covering an area of 10,000
hectares, and the enjoyment of the concession for thirty years, M ith power to pro-
long the same to a maximum period of ninety-nine years, the Italian Government to
levy a royalty of 5 per cent on the metal extracted from the mines. He could only
say that so far the first experiments had been satisfactory and that it had been proved
that the colony was auriferous.
ARGENTINA.
The United States minister at Buenos Ayres reports that the gold
product did not exceed $50,000, and the silver product could onl}?^ be
estimated by the value of ore reported, which was $22,800 (commercial
value).
According to an estimate made by the firm of Arning & Sons, of
Buenos Ayres, the gold production of 1900 amounted to 2,112 ounces,
presumably fine, which represents a value of $43,659.
The exports of gold and silver ores in 1900 were, according to the
bulletin on foreign commerce issued by the Government of Argentina
(Le Commerce Exterieur Argentin, No. 108), as follows:
Description of ore.
Weight.
Value in
gold
piasters.
Gold and silver
Kilograms.
10,000
58, 658
8, 200
135, 689
47,566
Gold and silver bearing copper
12.700
4, 100
26, 300
18.700
Silver
Silver-bearing copper
Silver lead
The total value of all silver ores exported, exclusive of those con-
taining gold, was 49,100 gold piasters, equivalent to $47,370, which is
more than twice the estimated value given by our minister. A part,
however, of this value represents copper and lead.
In the absence of authentic information coming from Argentine offi-
cial sources, the estimate of Messrs. Arning & Sons is accepted as the
value of the gold product for 1900 and that of the United States
minister for the silver product.
[From The Board of Trade Journal, London, June 20, 1901, p. 689.]
The acting British consul at Buenos Ayres reports that, according to figures fur-
nished him through the courtesy of Messrs. Arning & Sons, of that city, the approxi-
218 I'llECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
mate production of refined gold for the whole Republic has been as follows for the
years 1890 to 1900, inclusive:
Output of Gold.
Year.
Quantity.
Year.
Quantity.
1890
Ounces.
5,448
5,184
4,284
4,224
2, 556
2, 820
1896
Ounces.
2, 952
3, 972
4,416
3,912
2, 112
1891
1897
1892
1898
1893
1899
1894
1900
1895
It is quite impossible to obtain the exact output of the Republic, as some ore is
sent for assay to England by prospectors who make no mention of their shipments,
and some of the production of the Republic finds its way to the Pacific coast ports
for shipment, but Messrs. Arning & Sons have collected their data froui various
sources, and consider them the most approximately approaching the exact production.
AUSTRALASIA.
GOLD.
The gold production of Australasia in 1900 was, according to the
report of the department of mines of western Australia, 4,176,142
crude ounces, valued at £15,103,025, or $73,498,871.
This shows a decrease of the gold product amounting, in round lig-
ures, to $5,800,000, or 7.4 per cent compared with the year 1899.
The tables following give the products by colonies:
Austkalasian Gold Product, 1900.
[From Western Australia department of mines mining statistics, 1900.]
Colony.
Gross
weight.
Valu'\
United States
value.
Fine
weight.
Average
fineness.
Western Australia
Ounces.
1, 580, 950
345, 650
807, 407
963, 189
81,175
£6, 007, 611
1,194,521
3, 190, 940
2,871,709
316, 220
82, 422
1, 439, 602
^29,236,039
5, 813, 136
15,528,710
13,975,172
1,538,884
401,107
Ounces.
1,414,293
281,210
751, 201
676, 049
74,443
19, 404
338, 906
0.8945
New South Wales
.8135
Victoria
.9303
Queensland
.7018
Tasmania
. 9170
South Australia
24; 155
. 8033
New Zealand
373; 616
7, 005; 823
.9070
Total
4, 176, 142
15, 103, 025
73, 498, 871
3, 555, 506
.8513
In the following table the official figures for 1896, 1897, 1898, and
1899 are reproduced from last }''ear’s report, where the sources of
information are given in detail. The last column is taken from the
preceding table:
Colony.
1896.
1897.
1898.
1899.
1900.
New South Wales
New Zealand
Queensland
South Australia
TasmaTiia
Victoria
Western Australia
Total
«5, 223, 500
5,068,109
10, 906, 493
548, 742
1,156,154
15,071,824
5,201,354
?5, 296, 762
4,770,158
12, 424, 801
462, 575
1,407,591
15, 821, 303
12, 482, 461
S6, 066, 605
5,259,183
16,017,860
530, 811
1,267,618
16,298,045
19, 420, 732
J8, 591, 270
7, 303, 850
13,811,706
481,638
1,593,998
1 (■>, 633, 697
30, 845, 416
85,813,136
7,005,82:3
13, 976, 172
401,107
1,538,884
15,528,710
29, 236, 0:?9
43,776,182
52, 665, 711
64, 860, 854
79,321,681 1 73,498,871
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
219
Estimated Production of Crude Goud in Austrai.asia Since the Year 1851.
[From return.s furnished by tlie governineiit of each colony.]
Year.
New South
Wales.
New
Zealand.
Queens-
land.
South
Aus-
tralia.»
Tas-
mania.
Victoria.
Western
A us-
tralia.
'Potal.
1851-1884, inclu-
Ounces.
Ounces.
Otmccs.
Ounces.
Ounces.
Ounces.
Ounces.
Ounces.
si VO
9, 596, 642
10, 552, 279
4, 529, 280
154, 628
378,413
53, 023, 985
235, 227
1885
' 103i 736
' 237; 371
310, 941
is; 327
37, 317
' 735; 218
1,442,910
1886
101,416
226; 668
340, 998
21; 115
31,011
665, 396
302
1,386,909
1887
110, 288
203, 869
425, 923
37, 371
41,751
617,7.51
4,873
1, 411, 82(>
1888
87,503
201,219
481,643
16, 763
39, 610
625, 026
3,493
1,4,55,2.57
1889
112, 948
203, 211
739, 103
20, 833
33, 050
614, 839
15, 493
1,739,177
1890
127, 460
193, 193
610, 587
24, 831
20, 510
,588, 560
22, 806
1,. 587, 917
1891
153, 335
251,996
561,641
28,700
48, 769
576, 399
30, 311
1,6.51,1.51
1892
156, 870
237, 392
«05, 612
38, 974
43,278
654,4.56
.59, 518
1, 796, 130
1893
179, 288
226, 811
616, 940
33, .820
37, 687
671, 126
110, .891
1, 876, .563
1894
324, 787
221, 615
675, 000
35, 844
57, 873
716,955
207, 131
2, 2.39, 205
1895
360, 165
293, 491
623, 000
47, 343
59, 964
740, 086
231,513
2, 355, .562
1896
296, 071
263, 722
638, 000
29, 004
62, 586
805, 087
281,265
2, 375, 735
1897
292, 217
251,645
807, 928
29, 764
60, 646
812, 765
674, 991
2, 929, 959
1898
340,494
280, 175
920, 048
49, 372
69, 549
837, 258
1,0.50,1.83
3, 517, 079
1899
509, 418
389, 558
946, 771
32, 990
83, 992
854, 500
1,643,876
4,461,105
1900
345, 650
371,993
963, 189
29, 397
81, 175
807, 407
1,580, 950
4,179,761
Total
13, 198, 288
14,606,208
14, 796, 604
649, 076
1, 187, 184
64, 346, 814
5, 917,629
114, 701, 803
SILVER.
Estimated Production of Sidver Lead, Silver Ore, and Silver Bullion in
Australasia, to the Year 1900, inclusive.
[From returns furnished by the government of each colony.]
I.— SILVER LEAD AND SILVER ORE.
Year.
New South Wales.
Quantity.
1851-1884, inclusive
1885
1886
1887
1888
1889 . . . :
1890
1891
1892
1893
1894
1895 .
1896
1897
1898
1899
1900
Total
Tons.
9, 507
2,286
4,802
12, 530
29,842
81,544
129,039
147, 780
133, 355
214, 620
180, 326
219,880
286, 786
189,018
398, 568
444, 626
438, 837
2, 923, 296
Value.
£249, 400
107, 626
294, 485
541,952
1,075,737
1,899,197
2,667,144
2,484,739
2, 420, 952
2, 953, 589
2, 195, 339
1, 560, 813
1,758,933
1,681,528
1,644,777
1,993, 744
2, 513, 874
29, 043, 829
Queensland.
Quan-
tity.
Value.
Tons.
10, 159
3,787
1,631
2, 183
1,190
1,104
1,913
875
£117, 9.57
63,711
52, 797
80, 092
44,015
61,500
.56, 639
21,879
22, 842
498, 590
Tasmania.
Quan-
tity.
Value.
Tons.
15,710
20, 572
20, 5.53
21, 167
18, 364
15, 320
31,519
28, 863
£188, 520
246, 864
246, 636
229, 662
206, 595
188,892
2.50, 331
359, 286
172,068
1,916,786
Total.
Quantity.
Tons.
19, 666
6, 073
6,433
14,713
31,032
82, 648
130, 9.52
148, 6.55
133, 355
230, 330
200, 898
240, 433
307, 903
207, 382
413, &S8
476, 145
467, 700
Value.
£367, 357
171,337
347,282
622, 044
1,119, 7.52
1, 960, 697
2, 723, 783
3,506,618
2,420, 952
3, 142, 109
2, 442, 203
1, 807, 449
1,988,595
1,888, 123
1,833,669
2,244,075
2, 873, 160
31,459,205
220
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
Estimated Production op Silver Lead, Silver Ore, etc. — Continued.
II.— SILVER BULLION.
Year.
New South
Wales.
New
Zealand.
Queens-
land.
South
Aus-
tralia.
Tas-
mania.
Vic-
toria. »
Total.
1851-1884, inclusive
Oiinces.
935, 384
794, 173
1,015,433
177, 307
375, 063
416, 895
496, 552
729, 590
350, 661
531,972
846, 822
550, 142
202, 789
150,005
533, 059
692, 036
774, 203
Ounces.
447, 923
16, 624
12, 108
20, 809
403
24,105
32,627
28. 023
22,053
63,076
54,177
85. 024
94,237
183, 892
293, 851
349, 858
311, 136
Ounces.
Ounces.
Ounces.
Ounces.
280, 991
28, 951
26,422
26, 321
27, 331
30,281
25, 966
30,039
35,857
40,941
50,909
50, 647
52, 975
69, 633
83, 756
85, 687
58,163
Ounces.
1,664,298
839, 748
1,053,963
224, 437
402, 797
483, 281
555, 145
1,000, 449
789, 696
975,256
1.115,318
909, 572
629, 301
637, 595
1,014,687
1, 272, 906
1, 256, 492
1885 '
1886
1887
1888
1889
12,000
1890
1891
10,000
202, 797
177, 445
1892
203, 680
339, 267
163, 410
223, 759
279, 300
234, 065
104, 021
145,325
112, 990
1893
1894
1895
1896
1897
1898
1899
1900
Total
9, 572, 086
2,039,926
1,805, 817
10, 000
392, 242
1,004,870
14, 824, 941
» Extracted at Melbourne mint.
The silver production of Australasia for 1900 is given by the same
authorit}" as follows:
Colony.
Silver.
Silver lead.
Silver ore.
Total
value.
Western Australia
Cr ude ounces.
28, 749
774, 203
112, 990
Statute tons.
Statute tons.
£3,594
2,604,117
12,712
279, 372
18,046
35, 390
New South Wales
17,928
420, 910
Queensland
Tasmania
26,564
(?)
South Australia
26
New Zealand
311,136
The quantities for Western Australia, Queensland, and New Zealand
are given in crude ounces of unknown fineness; the fine ounces have
therefore been computed at this Bureau from the estimated value
given by the department of mines, at the rate of $0.62 per ounce fine.
For New South Wales, however, which is the chief silver producer
among the States of the Commonwealth, the values of silver, silver lead,
and silver ore are included in one total, of which the value of lead
forms a not unimportant item. In the absence of any official estimate
of the Hne silver contents of the several products, the computation
made at this Bureau is based on the semiannual reports and statements
of account of the Broken Hill Proprietary Company, Limited, which
furnishes the larger part of the silver product of the State.
The silver and lead contents of the ore and silver-lead bullion are
shown in the following table:
Material treated.
Treated
in the
refinery.
Finished product,
per ton.
Silver.
Lead.
1. Silver ore ;
Half year ending —
May 31, 1900
Tons.
121,786
129, 951
Ounces.
18.7
20.3
Per cent.
13.6
16.2
Nov. 30i, 1900
Total for the year
251,737
19.5
14.4
II. Silver-lead ;
Half year ending —
M'ay 31, 1900
16,036
22,553
145
130
96.5
93.3
Nov. 30, 1900
Total for the year
38, 589
136
94.4
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
221
The report of the Broken Hill Proprietary (Company for the half-
year ending November 30, 1900, gives the highest and lowest price
for silver and lead for the year, as shown in the following table:
Silver,
per ounce,
standard.
Lead,
per ton.
Highest
s. d.
2 6,^«
2
16
Lowest
Average
2 4j®5
16i§
Applying the average rates and prices for the year to the official
figures for New South Wales, given above, we obtain the following
table :
Source.
Silver.
Lead.
Per ton.
Total.
Per cent.
Total.
From silver ore
Ounces.
19.5
136
Ounces.
8, 207, 745
2, 438, 208
774, 203
14.4
94.4
60, 611
16, 924
From silver-lead
Silver bullion
Total
11, 520, 156
77, 535
Value: Silver, £1,370,942; lead, £1,313,266; total, £2,684,208.
The total value thus arrived at varies by only 3.08 per cent from
that given by the department of mines. Considering that the highest
price of silver is 12 per cent above the lowest, and the highest price
of lead 10.4 per cent above the lowest, a variance of 3 per cent in the
total result may be disregarded as immaterial.* It further appears
from the foregoing calculation that the quantity of silver is stated in
standard ounces. This gives a fine product of 10,656,144 ounces. As
the approximation allows of an error of 3 per cent or more, the last
five places are omitted and the product is estimated, in round figures,
at 10,600,000 fine ounces, which is nearly the same as the estimated
output for 1899 (10,500,000 fine ounces, in round numbers).
In the absence of any basis for a similar calculation for Tasmania
and South Australia, the value is provisionally assumed to represent
only silver, subject to correction upon more accurate information.
The estimated production of Australasia is given in the following
table :
Estimated Silver Produ:t, 1900.
Colony.
Quantity.
Commercial
value.
United States
coining
value.
West Australia
Pine ounces.
28, 210
10, 600, 000
99, 779
2, 192, 845
141,64/
277, 782
S17, 490
6, 572, 000
61,863
1, 359, 564
87,821
172, 225
836, 474
13, 705, 050
129, 007
2,835, 193
183, 140
359, 152
New South Wales
Queen.sland
Tasmania
South Australia
New Zealand
Total
13, 340, 263
8, 270, 963
17,248,016
222
PRECIOUS metals IN THE UNITED STATES.
Joining the estimates given in the foregoing table to those arrived
at for the preceding two years, we obtain the following table:
Production of Fine Silver.
Colony.
1898.
1899.
1900.
New South Wales
Ounces.
8, 802, 600
57, 100
54, 700
4, 900
1, 400, 600
171,200
Ounces.
10,522,488
58,439
127, 381
Ounces.
10, 600, 000
Victoria
Queensland
99, 779
141,647
2, 192, 845
277,782
28,210
South Australia
Tasmania
1, 825, 323
203, 967
New Zealand
West Australia
Total Australasia
10, 491,100
12, 737, 598
13,340,263
The following communication was received from the United States
consul at Melbourne.
Consulate-General op the United States,
Melbourne, Australia, November 28, 1900.
Sir : I have the honor to report, for the information of the Treasury Department,
that from January 1 to November 28, 1900, tlie following shipments of gold have been
made from Australia:
From Melbourne, Victoria $12, 134, 817
From Sydney, New South AVales 22, 617, 345
From West Australia 18,061,205
From Adeliade, South Australia 246,608
Total to date, 1900 53, 059, 975
Total to date, 1899 50, 540, 017
Increase
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. D.vvid J. Hill,
Department of Slate.
2, 519, 958
John P. Bray,
United States Consul-General.
AUSTRALIAN GOLD .MINING.
[From The Mining World and Engineering Record, London, March 2, 1901.]
In recent issues we have dealt at length with the progress made by the gold-mining
industries of Westralia and New Zealand during the past year, and it now only
remains, in finishing our series of reviews for the last year of the century, to refer to
the n^sults olitained from gold-mining operations in the other Australasian colonies.
As our readers are aware, British ca])ital has been — in the last twenty years, at all
events — much more largely employed in the development and working of Queens-
land mining undertakings than in similar enterprises in the other colonies, and it is,
therefore, satisfactory from the insular point of view that the production of the
jirecious metal in Queensland Was more satisfactory last year than in the preceding
twelve months.
In dealing with the Westralian and New Zealand figures we had to refer to a sub-
stantial falling off in the output of gold, and from the subjoined table it will be
observed that decreases were also exhibited in Victoria, New South Wales, and
PKECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
223
South Australia, while the improvement in the case of Queensland amounted to 4,500
ounces.
Colony.
1899.
1900.
Increase (-H)
or
decrease (— ).
West Australia
Ounces.
1, 643, 873
946, 600
854, 500
389, 814
496, 196
32, 990
88, 992
Ounces.
1,580,9.50
951,100
807, 407
369, 521
345, 650
29, 397
89, 500
Ounces.
- 62,923
+ 4, f)00
- 47,093
- 20,293
-150,516
- 3, 593
+ 508
Queensland
\'ietoria
New Zealand
New South Wales
South Australia
Tasmania
Total
4, 452, 965
4, 173, 525
-279, 440
From this table it will be observed that the aggregate output of gold from the
several colonial districts exhibited a decrease of 279,440 ounces, and of this consider-
ably more than one-half represented the shrinkage in the New South Wales contribu-
tion. It is curious that the value of the gold output of New South Wales should
have declined to the extent of nearly £600,000 in the twelve months, in view of the
fact that the general position of the colony has imj^roved, and capital lias been com-
paratively cheap and abundant. The experience of Victoria has also been unsatis-
factory, though to a less extent than New South Wales; but, notwithstanding the
severe drought in Queensland, which has at times greatly interfered with mining
operations, the output has continued to increase, although only to a slight extent.
PRODUCTION OP SILVER.
[From a Statistical Account of the Seven Colonies of Australa.sia, 1899-1900, by T. A. Coghlan, statis-
tician of New South Wales, p. 561.]
The Broken Hill Proprietary Company hold the premier position. They have at
Port Pirie, in the neighboring colony of South Australia, a complete smelting plant
on the latest and most approved principles, and have enlisted the services of compe-
tent managers, whose experience has been gained in the celebrated silver-mining
centers of the United States. From the commencement of mining operations in 1885
to the end of May, 1899, the company treated 4,125,729 tons of silver and silver-lead
ores, ])roducing 98,558,617 ounces of silver and 385,793 tons of lead, valued in the
London market at £20,560,959.
Dividends and bonuses to the amount of £6,968,000 have been paid, besides the
nominal value of shares from the several “blocks.” The sum spent in the erection
and construction of plant, from the opening of the property, has been about £991,680.
NEW SOUTH WALES.
[BTom the Board of Trade Journal, Loudon, April 11, 1901.]
The board of trade have received from the office of the agent-general for New
South Wales the following particulars of the gold returns of that colony for the year
1900: Gold production of New South Wales in 1900, 345,650 ounces; value, £1,194,521.
COST OF. ITtODUCTION OP SILVER.
The reports and statements of accounts of the Broken Hill Proprie-
tary Company, Limited, for the half years ending- May 31 and Novem-
ber 30, 1900, furnish interesting- materitil upon the question of cost of
production of silver.
Silver is recovered by the company from silver-lead ores conttdning
quantities of other metals. Any attempt to determine the cost of sil-
ver alone must, therefore, be more or less arbitrary, inasmuch as the
working- costs arc distributed over all the products. Still, an idea ot
it may be formed if the amount realized from the sale of all other
224
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
products is deducted from the total cost and the b^dance is assumed to
represent the cost of silver.
The working account of the company, including wages, salaries, and
expenses of mining, quanying, smelting, concentrating, chloridiz-
ing, lixiviation, roasting, refining, assaying, freight, insurance, wharf
expenses, horses and drays, electric light, coke and coal, water, and a
number of incidentals, was as follows:
For the half year ending — £ s. d.
May 31, 1900 468,310 18 6
November 30, 1900 532,241 5 11
For the year 1,000,552 4 5
The amount realized from the sale of all products except silver is
shown in the table following:
From what extracted.
Half year ending —
May 31,1900.
Nov. :10, 1900.
Lead
260^38 U 7’
28,989 11 9
29,264 5 9
9, 600 0 0
£ s. d.
289, .689 3 0
26,412 8 6
16, 687 5 8
6,000 0 0
other products
Refinerv surplus received
Refinery surplus to be received
Total
327,992 14 1
338,688 17 2
When these amounts are deducted from the expense accounts for the
respective half 3^ears the following estimates are obtained for the cost
of silver:
For half year ending — £ s- ti.
May 31, 1900... 140,318 4 5
November 30, 1900 193,552 8 9
For the year 333, 870 13 2
The fine-silver products for the same period, as given in the reports,
and the cost per ounce, computed as above explained, are presented in
the following table:
Quantity.
Cost per
ounce.
For half year ending —
May 31. 1900
Ounces.
2, 320, 172
2,946, 144
d.
14.6
15.8
November 30, 1900
For the year
6,266,316
16. 2
The price of silver per ounce, fine, stood on May 31, 1900, at 29||d.
and oh November 30, 1900, at 32Y^gd., according to which the gross
profit on silver produced by the Broken Hill Proprietary Compan}^ was,
in round figures, 100 per cent of the cost price at current London quo-
tations for silver.
NEW ZEALAND.
GOLD MINES.
[From the Mining World and Engineering Record, London, February 9, 1901, p. 213.]
The gold production in New Zealand last year was smaller than in tlie preceding
twelve months. The amounts of the output, month by month, are shown in the
following table for the past three years:
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
225
Month.
January . .
February
March
April
May
June
July
.\ugu.st
September
October
November.
December
Total
1900.
Ounces.
3«, 289
18, 125
39, 165
20, 353
29, 095
33, 833
39, G78
23, 774
41,873
33, 617
17, 739
31,000
369, 521
1899.
Ounces.
33, 249
21,729
36, 843
33,343
25, 962
41, M7
25, 838
38,53)
29,693
36,577
26, 829
39, 673
389, 814
1898.
Ounces.
25, 763
22, 278
24, 467
16, 220
15, 4 14
35,898
17,891
34, 416
14,306
30, 039
16, 721
30, 743
283,216
Dredging for Gold.
By Capt. C. C. Longridge, M. lust. M. E., M. I. Mech. E., etc.
[From the Mining World and Engineering Record, Loudon, April 13, 1901.]
WORKING COSTS.
The difficulties of ascertaining costs in any mining business are almost insuperable.
This arises jiartly from the unnecessary secrecy maintained by those conducting such
operations and partly either from the absence of methodical bookkeei)ingor from the
want of uniformity in debiting charges — unfortunate facts to which the author has
on other occasions drawn attention. Accordingly, the few data here given are far
from satisfactory, for though the capacity of the dredger and the working expenses
per week are stated, neither the number of hours run nor the total number of cubic
yards dredged nor the items included in the expenses can be ascertained. With
this provision, the following statistics are offered:
The official Report of the Mining Industry of New Zealand for 1893 (Mining Jour-
nal, December 26, 1896, et seq.; West Australian Mining Reports of 1896, Mining
Reports, etc. ), page 128, states: “It is found that the working expenses of the dredges,
for the quantity of material lifted, is not more than the expense of working ground
with an hydraulic elevator.”
The estimated weekly cost of working the Welman suction dredge Waipapa
(Reports on the Mining Industry of New Zealand, 1890, p. 89), raising, say, SOcubic
yards per hour, or, say, 4,000 cubic yards per week, including manager and 11 hands,
wear and tear (this is mostly about the buckets; lips last from one to tw^o years, and
the pins on which the buckets are hinged about three months), and 18 cords of rata
firewood, were £70. In other words, the operating expenses were 4.5d. per cubic
yard.
The working exjienses of the Dunedin bucket dredge (Reports on the Mining
Industry of New Zealand, 1893, p. 205), with a capacity of 106 cubic yards per hour,
were £250 ])er month, or £62.5 joer week; being £160, wages of 9 men and a dredge
master; £30 for coal, at 55s. per ton delivered, and £60 for repairs and supplies. The
average of steady work being only four days per week of six working days, the
weekly costs would in this case be £58 for an h.ourly capacity of 1 cubic yard.
Assuming the dredge to work night and day, but deducting 25 percent for stoppages,
unfilled buckets, etc., the total material dredged in the week of four days would be
10,176—2,544=7,632 cubic yards, at a cost of £62.5, representing 1.9d. per cubic
yard as the working expenses, as against 4.5d. in the suction dredge above mentioned.
The costs of the Golden Treasure bucket dredge (Reports on the Mining Industry of
New Zealand, 1895, p. 153), made by Marshall & Sons, Gainsborough, Plngland, with
a capacity of 60 cubic yards in steady work, are stated to have been about £36, equiva-
lent to £6 for an hourly capacity oi 1 cubic yard. Two men per shift were employed,
and the quantity of lignite coal used was about 1 ton per shift. Assuming the dredge
to work continuously for four days a week, the ojierating costs would be 3d. per
cubic yard.
The working costs on the Hyde & Woods bucket dredge (Reports on the Mining
Industry of New Zealand, 1896, p. 154), raising on an average 32 cubic yards per
hour, were rather over £30 per week. Six men were employed to work the dredge
day and night, and the amount of local coal burned was about 3 tons per twenty-
four hours. On the same assumption as to the number of days’ work, this represents
a cost of 3. 16d. per cubic yard.
12066—01 15
226
PEECIOUS METALS IM THE UNITED STATES.
In the two bucket dredges of the Electric Gold Dredging Company (Reports on
the Mining Industry of New Zealand, 1897, p. 139), Kawaran River, dredging, respec-
tively, 70 and 90 cubic yards ]>er hour, the united costs are £100 per week. Thirteen
men are employed on the dredges. Assuming the same conditions as before, the
working costs would be slightly over 2d. per cubic yard.
The Jutland flat dredge Waipori dredged 74 cubic yards per hour, at a cost of 1.55d.
per cubic yard, including all stoppages, repairs, and expenses.
Mr. Jaquet, in Notes on Gold Dredging, 1898, gives the weekly costs of running in
New Zealand a large dredge, raising, say, 90 cubic yards per hour, as follows:
£. e.
Fuel (16 tons of lignite at 12s.) 9 12
Labor (5 men at £3 and lat£5) 20 0
Repairs, office expenses, etc 20 0
Total 49 12
which, on the same assumption as before, represents 1.6d. per cubic yard
It is claimed for the Yuba River dredge, California (Report of the Minister of
Mines in British Columbia, 1897, pp. 495, 496) , built by the Risdon Iron Works, with
a gross capacity of 93 cubic yards per hour, that for any ground not deeper than 60
feet below water level or more than 20 feet above, and not containing bowlders of
more than 1 ton weight, the material can be handled at from 3 to 5 cents (Tjd. to
2jd. ) per cubic yard. If the capacity of this machine is given without deduction for
water raised, imperfect filling, and general delays, an increased volume of the gravel
when broken ui^) by the buckets, the actual working capacity would be less and the
costs of operating would be proportionately greater.
On the A. E. Grader, Montana, United States of America, with an output of about
60 cubic yards per hour, the cost of working gravel by steam power has been found
to be 9 cents (42d.) per cubic yard; but on the F. L. Graves, where electricity is
employed for power, this cost has been 4| cents (2Jd. ) per cubic yard. (“Gold
dredging in Montana,” by E. B. Braden, Engineering and Mining Journal, November
20, 1897, p. 695.)
The above figures indicate, first, that the cost of operating bucket dredges by steam
power decreases as their size increases. This is chiefly due to the relatively lower
wages, the labor being about the same whether the quantity raised be 20 or 100 tons
per hour; secondly, that in bucket dredges of large capacity the cost of dredging
ranges from l^d. to about 3d. per cubic yard, and probably averages about 2d.
“Ordinary ground,” say the Risdon Iron Works (Catalogue No. 16, second edition,
1898, p. 4) , “ can be handled by the new improved dredge at from 3 cents (l^d. ) per
cubic yard, and ground can be handled from 60 feet below the water level to 20 feet
above at a cost which, it is claimed, is less than that of any other known process.”
On L. Gard’s No. 2 dredge, which is a current wheeler, working in midstream and
lifting from 35 to 40 tons per hour and employing one man per shift, the average cost
of working is £14 per week. Taking 30 cubic yards as the average output and
making the usual assumption, this works out at 0.97d., or under Id. per cubic yard —
a very low figure.
A writer in the New York Engineering and Mining Journal recently stated:
“Under favorable circumstances, and when working continuously, a large bucket
dredge will lift and treat 1 cubic yard (loose measurement) for about Id., but the
average cost is probably nearly double this.”
The working costs given above show the average expense of operating a steam
bucket dredge in New Zealand, and perhaps elsewhere, amounts to 2d. per cubic
yard raised. As, however, there are, in public company management, standing
charges Avhich are not included in this figure, it will be safer to consider the average
full working costs in most parts of the world to be about 2^d. per cubic yard.
Allowing 75 jier cent as the probable extraction, it follows that ground to be pay-
able should contain in most cases 3jd., or, say, rather 1 J grains, of gold per cubic
yard. This estimate agrees with the other facts of which the author has cognizance.
In 1892-93 the Waipari Gold Dredging Comjiany was working a dredge raising 5;000
cubic yards per week. The average yield was 1.47 grains of gold per cubic yard, and
this seems to have been on the margin line between jrrofit and loss.
Other instances of a like nature could be cited. There are, of course, cases where
I grain of gold suffices to pay expenses and yield a profit, but, on the other hand,
there are also cases where a much higher value is needed.
CAPACITY AND COST OF DREDGING.
As the working costs relatively decrease in proportion as the output is increased,
it is clearly advantageous to lift as large a quantity of material as possible. But, on
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
227
the other hand, it is waste of power to raise more material than can he properly
treated. Hence the cai)ac“ity of a dredge should 1k> fixed hy that of the gold-saving
a^ipliances. In other words, the capacity of a dredge is governed by tlie space at
disix)sal for gold saving. In accordance with this i)rincii)le, practical experience is
mostly in favor of limiting the capacity of the dredge to from 80 to 100 cubic yards
per hour, or, say, 2,000 to 2,500 cubic yards of material per day of twenty-four hours.
If more gravel has to be handled, it is better to employ two or more dredges. The
total weight of a dredge of this description with all machinery is about 200 tons. The
rate of discharge is about 12 to 15 buckets i)er minute.
It must be remembered that the amount of wash lifted by a dredge varies greatly.
As a rule, the maximum is attained in large and deeji deposits where there is abund-
ant material. But only in such ground, or where a dredge is working against a high
face, the gravel of which falls readily into the buckets, is the theoretical capacity
nearly attained. For instance, with fairly loose gravel of 12 or more feet in depth
and not less than 10 feet below water, on a soft l)ottom, 4} cubic foot l)uckets might
be expected to work up to seven-eighths of their full capacity. In most cases, espe-
cially when working shallow and hard ground, the actual dredge output is perhaps
about 50 to 60 per cent of the theoretical capacity. Where a dredge is scraping along
or cleaning up a rocky bottom, with but a thin layer of wash on it, the capacity will
be very much lower, for the buckets may be frecpiently checked l)y obstacles and
may come up almost empty. In such ground an average out]>ut might be 33 per
cent of the theoretical capacity. In bad ground, where, for instance, a 5 to 10 foot
layer of wash lies on an uneven rutty clay bottom,; consisting of rough bowlders up
to 4 or 5 tons in weight, all very tightly packed together and set with small gravel,
the bucket capacity would be only about one-fifth or one-sixth of this theoretical
amount.
The size of dredge to be employed on a given claim depends largely on the depth
of wash dirt to be dredged. If this is shallow — under 20 feet — a small dredge costing
£3,000 to £5,000 is best suited for the work, and would pay where a large dredge
might be a failure. For dredging ground ui> to 35 feet in depth a £5,000 to £8,000
dredge would suffice. The largest dredges built have cost £8,000 to £10,000, and are
capable of dredging to over 50 feet.
Queensland Minerals in 1900.
[From The Mining World and Engineering Record, London, May 18, 1901.]
Silver. — Of minerals other than gold the actual jiroduction was small in 1900 and
gives little idea of the latent wealtli of the colony. Thus the total yield of silver —
145,000 ounces, valued at £15,000 — came from two small mines, one in the Stanthorpe
and the other in the Ravenswood district. But the galena lodes of the Burketown
mineral field are shown by the recently jiublished report by Mr. Cameron, of the
geological survey staff, to be well worthy of the trial which they will no doubt receive
when reasonable means of carriage to the coast are provided.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA.
The following table has been prepared at this Bureau from data
given in the Statistical Register for the Year 1899 (pp. 10 and 16):
Gold Production.
Production.
Number
Dividends paid.
Year.
Quantity.
Value.
of divi-
dend-
paying
compa-
nies.
Amount.
Percent-
age of
value of
produc-
tion.
Per ounce.
1890
Ounces.
22, 806
£86, 664
115, 183
226, 284
421,385
1
£1,250
5, 326
1,875
34,350
110, 642
82, 183
168, 216
607, 732
1.4
£. s. d.
0 1 1
1891
30, 310
59, 549
2
4.6
0 3 6
1892
1
.8
0 0 8
1893
110, 892
207, 130
231,613
281, 265
674, 994
1, 050, 184
1,643,877
3
8.1
0 6 2
1894
787, 099
879, 748
1,068,808
2, 564, 977
3, 990, 697
6, 246, 732
5
14
0 10 8
1895
9
9.3
0 7 1
1896
7
16.7
0 11 11
1897
18
19.8
0 15 0
1898
17
606, 124
2, 057, 421
15.2
0 11 6
1899
25
32.9
1 5 1
Total
3, 575, 119
228
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
It appears from this table that the returns from western Australian
mines are very irregular. In general, the dividends grow apace with
the production. The highest dividends have been declared by three
companies — the Great Boulder Proprietary Gold Mining Company,
Hannan’s Brown Hill Gold Mining Company, and the Lake View Con-
sols Gold Mining Company.
The dividends paid by these three companies amount to more than
one-half of all the dividends paid by the gold mines of the colon}^
and have within the short space of five years fully repaid the capital
invested and yielded handsome profits, as shown in the following table:
Name of company.
Capital
paid np.
Dividends paid.
Great Boulder Proprietary
£175,000
140. 000
250.000
£763, 050
250,625
880, 000
1, 893, 675
Per cent.
436
179
352
Hannan’s Brown Hill
Lake View Consols
Total
....
There were, on December 31, 1899, 23 companies whose nominal capi-
tal had been fully paid up, the average being £315,960 per company.
Thus it is seen that the three best dividend-paying companies ranked
below the average as to investment.
WESTERN AUSTRALIAN GOLD FIELDS.
[From the Supplement to Government Gazette of Western Australia. Perth, February 4, 1901.]
Return, in ounces, showing the gross weight of gold reported to the mines depart-
ment, 1,514,237 (total gross weight).
The difference between the statement headed “Return, in ounces, showing the
gross weight of gold reported to the mines department” and the one compiled by
His Majesty’s customs is to be accounted for liy the fact that the exi)urtation of gold
started, practically, with the inception of the industry, whereas the mode of col-
lecting returns adopted by the mines department is the elaboration of a system
established some few years ago. Up to that date, therefore, no good basis for an
exact comparison can be found. As to the discrepancy which exists at present, the
assumption is that the whole of the gold won from the soil is not reported to the
department.
A summary of the gold exported and received at the ro^^al mint
during the years 1898 and 1899, compared with the yield reported to
the mines department, is found in the following table:
Year.
Export and
mint.
Reported
yield. 1
Differ-
ence.
1898
Ounces.
1,050, 184
1, 643, 877
Ounces.
1,041,712
1,600, 763
Ounces.
8, 472
1899
43,114
» By mines department.
The reported yield for 1898 is 0.81 per cent short of the total obtained
from the returns of the collector of customs and the Berth branch of
the royal mint for the same year. For 1899 the discrepancy amounts
to 2.63 per cent. According to the report of the department of mines
the discrepancy may, to a great extent, be accounted for as follows:
Returns are collected by the de])artment from all owners of registered mining hold-
ings, but there are a large number of men working alluvial claims which need not
be registered at the various wardens’ otlices, and of which the department has no
PKECIOUS METALS TN THE UNITED STATES.
229
knowledge. The gold Avon from these holdings is usually purchased by hanks and
gold dealers, and taken in small parcels by storekeepers in exchange for goods. So
far it has been found impossible to obtain reliable returns of gold jmrehased. In addi-
tion to golil produced from unregistered claims, a certain amount of stolen gold is
unaccounted for. As practically the whole of this gold, with that obtained from the
regular producing mines, finds its way to the mint and the customs, the total output
as olitained from these sources may be considered as the correct one for the colony as
a whole.
The gold production is arrived at l\y taking the figures furnished I)}-
the export and mint returns.
[From Statistical Register, 1899, Part VII, p. 10.]
The disposition of the gold product of 1899 is shown in the folloiving table, taken
from the Statistical liegister for 1899, published in the current year 1901 :
Disposition: Ounces.
Received at the Perth mint 209, 306
Exported to— Ounces.
Victoria 514, 199
New Sou til Wales 161, 333
South Australia 48, 452
Queensland 167
United Kingdom 710,258
Germany 162
Total exports 1, 434, 571
Grand total 1, 643, 877
Value, £6,246,732.
GOLD.
[From The Mineral Wealth of Western Australia. Perth, 1900.]
The auriferous deposits of western Australia have been responsible for the4,127,374
ounces of gold, valued at £15,684,022, which have been exported. The relations which
these deposits, one of the factors of the colony’s prosperity, bear to the broader geo-
logical features naturally take a prominent place in any account dealing with its
mineral reasources. The method adopted in dealing with the auriferous deposits is
to describe each gold field se])arately, giving a brief apercu of its salient features,
although the information available for this purpose is, in one or two cases, much
more fragmentary than could be wished. It has been found most convenient to
adhere to a strictly geographical order in description, beginning with the field at the
northern extremity of the colony. The description of each field is followed by a
table, giving the yield of gold as shown by the figures furnished to the department
of mines and by the data in the archives of His Majesty’s customs house. It will
be noticed that in all cases there is a difference between the two sets of figures. Up
to the end of 1 899 there have been officially reported to the mines department 3, 850, 332
ounces of gold from the various fields of the colony. The customs authorities, hoAv-
ever, give 4,127,374 ounces as that entered for export, being 277,042 ounces in excess
of the figures furnished to the mines department. The discrepancy is to be accounted
for by the difficulty experienced in olitaining a record of the alluvial gold, and also
by the fact that a good deal of the gold Avon in the early days Avas probably never
officially reported. Writing in 1899, the Avarden of Yilgarn notes, Avith reference to
the output of gold from that district, that a good deal of gold leaA^es the field and is
not recorded.
PUHITY OF AVESTERN AUSTRALIAN GOLD.
In order to calculate the A^alue of the exports of the colony, the customs authorities
have assumed an average value of £3 16s. per ounce, ora fineness of 0.8947 for all
the gold bullion turned out by the various mines. Seeing, however, that the purity
of this bullion depends not only on the purity of the metal in the ore, but also upon
the nature of the other minerals in it, the method of extraction, and the degree to
Avhich the refining process is pushed at the mine, this factor gives but little idea of
the original fineness of the metal.
230
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
[Condensed from an article by H. Kuss, in Annales des Mines, January, 1901, pp. 47-09.]
An article in Annales des Mines (published under the authority of
the French ministry of public works) contains valuable information on
the gold-mining industry of western Australia.
From figures furnished by several of the more important mines in
their annual reports for 1899 to their stockholders, the average cost
of mining and milling, including an allowance for development work
and depreciation, and the average }deld of fine gold per ton were as
follows:
Cost per
ton.
Fine gold
per ton.
Value at
United
States coin-
ing rate.
Great Boulder Proprietary
$10. 80
8. 93
10. 39
9.13
Grams.
48
48
81
85
$31.90
31.90
53.83
56.49
Ivanhoe
Golden Horseshoe
Lakeview Consolidated
The average yield for the Kalgoorlie district amounted to 51 grams
fine per ton. The average for the colony amounted to 36.45 grams
per ton. That the productivity of these mines is extraordinarily high
is shown b}" comparison with the Transvaal, where the }deld per ton
does not exceed 15 grams, except in the two best pa}dng mines, viz,
Robinson and Ferreira.
The total number of stamps was 3,338, of an aggregate capacit}’^ of
4,000,000 tons per year, which far exceeded the actual needs, the total
quantity treated in 1899 amounting to but 1,174,219 tons.
A slight decrease in the productivity of the mines is noticed, viz,
the average yield per ton from the opening of the mines to and includ-
ing 1898 amounted to 37.22 grams; in 1899, to 36.45 grams, and during
the first half of 1900, 32.67 grams. This downward tendency is in jiart
compensated by better results obtained to-day fi’om a more complete
cyanidization of the tailings.
Besides the product of regular mining operations, quantities of gold
are produced by numerous gold seekers scattered all over the country.
The product from this source, which is l)y no means a negligible quan-
tity, does not figure in the mining statistics, but it reappears in the
returns of the customs department and the mint. Some idea of the
importance of this source may l)e gathered from tlie following figures:
The total number of hands employed at the gold mines was 16,080,
while the numl)er of prospectors and gold seekers scattered over the
colony is estimated at 4,920. It is known that these gold seekers dig
the surface sands for gold. Sometimes they discover paying wash
gold of (considerable value. Asa rule, however, they are barely eking
out an existence, and sometimes live very miserably. They pay a
dear price and work hard for their independence, which they prefer to
much more I'eniunerativc regular work in the mines.
COST OF GOLD MINING.
[Quoted from the Supplement to the Mining World and Engineering Record, May 25,1901, ]>. 858.]
At the seventh unnnal meeting of the Great Boulder Proprietary Company, held
in London on May 23, 1901, tlie chairman of tlie com))any, in the course of his
report for the year ending December 31, 1900, gave out the following figun^s con-
cerning the costs of working jier ton :
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
281
“Onr latest costs are as follows: (they are the costs as cabled for the month of
April): Stoping or extracting ores, 8s. lid. per ton; l)attery, the gold extraction,
11s. 8d. j5er ton; sulphide mill, gold extraction, 18s. 7d. per ton; cyaniding tailings
and slimes, 9s. 6d. per ton; general expenses, 5s. Id. per ton; one-third development
account, which we always put to one side, 4s. 4d. per ton. Throughout, therefore,
you will see the reductions have been very substantial. The ore, therefore, for April
of this year passed through the battery cost in total 80s. per ton, compared with 40s.
Id., shown by the revenue account of last vear, which I think highly satisfactory
and important. The ore treated in the sulphide mill cost, exclusive of cyaniding
the residues, 36s. lid. per ton in April of this year, compared with 54s. lid. for the
last five months of 1900. This reduction of so much as 18s. per ton, I repeat again,
is highly satisfactory and reflects great credit on the management. I might say here
that the estimates of cost have more than verified the figures given in our interim
report of January and February. They were then stated at 45s., but they were cer-
tainly less, and in April they were only 36s. lid. The treatment of the tailings or
residues does not materially alter in cost, being 9s. 6d. as against 9s. 2d.
SOURCES OF GOLD PRODUCTION AND AVERAGE RESULTS.
[Compiled from The Seven Colonies of Australasia, 1899-1900, pp. 658, 569.]
' Sources of the Gold Production, 1899.
Colony.
Weight.
Per cent of total
for colonies.
Alluvial.
Quartz.
Total.
Alluvial.
Quartz.
New South Wales
Ounces.
91,477
270, 405
21,794
63, 208
11,613
Ounces.
404, 719
Ounces.
496, 196
854, 600
946, 894
1, 643, 877
83, 992
18.4
81.6
Victoria
684; 095
925, 100
1,580, 669
72, 479
31.7
68.3
Queensland
2.3
97.7
Western Australia
3.6
96.4
Tasmania
13.7
86.3
Total
458, 397
3, 567, 062
4, 025, 459
11.4
88.6
There is no information available for the distribution of the output
of South Australia and New Zealand as to source of production.
The proportion raised in these colonies does not exceed, however, 9.9
of the total Australasia, and can affect the general average to but a
small degree.
The average value of gold won by each miner is given below, but as the conditions
under which mining is carried on are by no means the same in every colony, the
figures, which vary considerably, _may be somewhat misleading. It is probable that
the number of gold miners in several of the provinces is largely overstated, otherwise
the industry must be carried on at a great loss; and this will be the more apparent
when it is remembered that a fairly large quantity of gold is obtained with other
metals, the men employed at the working of which are not classified as gold miners.
Most likely many of the men employ themselves in mining for only a portion of
their time and devote the rest to more remunerative pursuits; but when full allow-
ance IS made on this score it will be evident that in some colonies at least the
search for gold is not a profitable occupation. The small return for South Australia
is due to the large nund^er of Chinese engaged in the industry, many of them not
possessing proper appliances for working the claims. The following table shows the
number of miners at work in 1899, with the quantity and value of gold won per man:
Colony.
Miners
em-
Average production of
gold.
ployed.
Quantity.
Value.
New South Wales
Number.
19, 348
30, 114
9, 758
1, 986
21,000
1,296
13,291
Ounces.
25.65
£ s. d.
90 10 10
Victoria
28.38
113 10 0
Queensland
97. 04
290 17 0
South Australia
11.64
39 16 0
Western Australia
78. 28
297 »9 3
Tasmania
64.81
■2.52 14 8
New Zealand
29.31
113 17 0
^32
PKECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
The greatest development of qiiartz reefing is found in Victoria, some of the
mines being of great depth. At the end of 1899 there were 7 mines in the Ben-
digo district over 3,000 feet deep and 14 over 2,500 feet deep. In the Lazarus
mine a depth of 3,424 feet had been reached, and in Lansell’s 180 mine 3,352 feet.
On other fields there were 7 mines over 1,400 feet deep, the principal of which were
the South Star mine, in the Ballarat district, where the shaft is down 2,520 feet,
and the Magdala mine, in the Stawell district, where a depth of 2,410 feet has l>een
reached.
The Broken Hill Proprietary Company hold the premier position. They have at
Port Pirie, in the neighboring colony of South Australia, a complete smelting plant
on the latest and most approved principles, and have enlisted the services of com-
petent managers, whose experience has been gained in tlie celebrated silver-mining
centers of the United States. From the commencement of mining operations in
1885 to tlie end of May, 1899, the company treated 4,125,729 tons of silver and
silver-lead ores, producing 98,558,617 ounces of silver and 385,793 tons of lead, valued
in the London market at £20,560,959.
Dividends and bonuses to the amount of £6,968,000 have been paid, besides the
nominal value of shares from the several “blocks.” The sum spent in the erection
and construction of plant from the opening of the property has been about £991,680.
AUSTRIA-HUNGARY.
Official information received b3^this Bureau ^ives Austria’s product
of gold for 1900 at 225.312 kilograms of gold ore, valued at 42,831
crowns, and 25,000 kilograms of gold and silver bearing quartz, which
contained about 17 grams gold per 1,000 kilograms. The value of
this product in United States money was $8,960.
The amount of silver ore produced from mines in Austria in 1900
was 21,640,500 kilograms, valued at 3,796,493 crowns, or $769,169
(commercial value), representing, at the average price of silver during
the jmar, viz, $0.62 per ounce, tine, 1,240,596 ounces, or 38,595 kilo-
grams, fine, of the coining value of $1,604,003.
The product of the Hungarian mines for 1900 was 3,209.37747 kilo-
grams of fine gold, with a value of $2,132,952.
The silver product was 20,084,109 kilograms, at a redemption (com-
mercial) -value of 2,289,588.43 crowns, or $463,871, representing
748,178 ounces, or 23,276 kilograms, fine, of a coining value of $967,341.
The following table shows the product of both countries in con-
densed form:
GOLD.
Country.
Fine weight.
Value.
Austria
Kilos.
14
3, 209
Ounces.
433
103,182
88, 900
2, 132, 952
II angary
Total
3, 223
103,015
2, 141,912
SILVER.
Country.
Fine weight.
Value.
Austria
Kilos.
38, 595
23, 270
Ounces.
1,240, 5%
748, 178
$1,004,003
907, 341
Hungary
•
Total
01,871
1,988,774
2,571,344
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
233
BELGIUM.
PRODUCTION OF THE PRECIOUS METAI.S.
[Translated from the Report of the Belgian Commissioner of the Mint to the Minister of Finance and
Public Works for 1900, p. 70.]
From 1872 to 1884 the Yieille Montagne Company extracted from the argentiferous
galenas at Moresnet Mills an insignificant quantity of silver — 30 kilograms a year, on
an average. This production has been discontinued. Three refineries situated in
the provinces of Liege and Lindbourg (at Bleyberg, Sclaigneaux, and Overpelt),
are treating argentiferous ores of foreign origin. Within the thirty-five-year period
from 1866 to 1900 the production of these establishments aggregated 552,559 kilo-
grams of fine silver.
A fourth refinery, founded at Hoboken, near Antwerp, confines itself to extracting
silver from lead ingots imported from Spain. Its production from 1888 to 1900 aggre-
gated 829,785 kilograms.
In 1900 the total production amounted to 139, 800- kilograms of silver.
The following figures for 1899 are taken from the Statistique des
Mines, Minieres, Carrieres, Usines Metallurgiques, etc., dii Royaume
de Belgique for 1899:
Description.
Quantity.
Value.
Price.
Lead, crude
Silver, crude
metric tons..
15, 727
134,854
Francs.
6, 930, 966
15, 380, 600
Francs.
377. 12
144.05
The production of these refineries for the years 1894-1898 is given
in the following table, quoted from Statistique des Mines, Usines
Metallurgiques, etc., du Royaume de Belgique, 1898, p. 37:
Year.
Quantity.
Commercial
value.
1894
Kilograms.
28, 961
31,543
28,509
30, 073
116, 035
Fraiics.
3, 026, 100
3, 430, 000
3, 189, 500
3,157,109
12, 385, 850
1895
1896
1897
1898
Imports and Exports of tite Precious Metals (Customs Entries).
[From the Repo.t of the Belgian Commissioner of the Mint to the Minister of Finance and Public
Works for 1900, j). 71.]
GOLD.
Year.
Ore.
Bullion.
Coin.
Total.
Importation:
1870
Kilograms.
Kilograms.
15, 100
200
2,900
1,100
12, 300
100
100
500
Kilograms.
5.000
1.000
300
1,200
Kilograms.
20,000
1,200
13,900
2, 350
12,300
100
200
2, 100
1880
1890
10,700
50
1899
Exportation:
1870
1880
1890
100
1,600
1899
234
PEECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
Imports and Exports op the Precious Metals (Customs Entries) — Continued.
SILVER.
Importation:
Kilograms.
Kilograms.
Kilograms.
Kilograms.
1870
177, 300
28, 300
7,000
264, 400
1,400
22, 900
441,700
29,700
246,900
1880
1890
217, 000
1899
2,622,900
105,700
306, 800
2, 935, 400
Exportation:
1870
37,400
1,000
5, 300
6,200
43, 600
1,000
1880
1890
900
2i, 100
21, 300
1899
100
54, 300
337, 000
391,400
BOLIVIA.
According to the report of the German imperial consul at Cocha-
bamba, reproduced at length below, the gold production of Bolivia in
1898 and 1899 was officially- stated at 550 and 546 kilograms, respec-
tively, of an estimated fineness of 22 carats (0.916f). This corresponds
to 504 kilograms, or 16,204 ounces tine, of the value of $334,958, for
1898, and 500 kilograms, or 16,075 ounces tine, of the value of
$332,300, for 1899.
In the absence of information for 1900, the figures for 1899 are
repeated.
The fineness of the silver product is not stated. The product of 1898
is estimated at 342,138 kilograms. Our own returns from Bolivia gave
a commercial value for the same year corresponding to 337,355 kilo-
grams fine (see last year’s report, p. 271). The divergence between
the two sources amounts to somewhat over 1 per cent and ma}^ be
disregarded as immaterial. The agreement between the two sources
vouches for their substantial accuracy. The figures given b}i the
German consul are accordingly taken as representing fine kilograms.
This gives for 1898 a silver product of 10,997,705 ounces fine, of a
United States coining value of $14,219,255, and for 1899 a silver prod-
uct of 310,500 kilograms, or 9,980,731 ounces fine, of a United States
coining value of $12,904,380.
The figures for 1899 are repeated for 1900.
The following is condenseci from the report of the German imperial
consul at Cochabamlia:
GOLD.
Gold is found in many provinces of Bolivia. Most of the gold
mines and washings are now abandoned, for want of labor and requisite
capital, l)ut in former times they brought considerable wealth. The
gold production is given, from official sources, in the following table:
Year.
Weight.
Year.
Weight.
1895
Kilograms.
450
500
685
1898
Kilograms.
550
546
1896
1899
1897
The kilogram is valued at 500 bolivars; its fineness is about 22
cai-ats, and after smelting reaches 23i carats. The yield per ton is
from 30 to 150 grams.
PKECIOUfi METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
235
SILVER.
The production for the last live }^ears was as follows:
Year.
W’eight.
Year.
Weight.
1895
Kiloqrams.
669. 000
655. 000
682,228
1898 •
Kilograms.
342, 138
310,500
1896
1899
1897
BRAZIL.
United States Minister Bryan reports to this Bureau that the prod-
uct of gold in Brazil for 1900 was 5,011 kilograms, line. This would
give a United States value of $3,330,311, equivalent to 161,104: ounces,
line.
MINING.
[From United States of Brazil, a geographical sketch compiled by the Bureau of the American
Republics.]
Brazil in the last century was very properly considered a land of gold and dia-
monds. Gold, specimens of which were found by the Paulists as early as the first
half of the sixteenth century (1540), exists in almost every State of the Republic,
while diamonds of the finest water were sold in Europe as diamonds from India,
after having been cut in Amsterdam. The real discovery of gold mines was effected
by a party of Paulists in the territory of what is now known as the State of Minas
Geraes in 1694. From that year to the end of the eighteenth century Brazil had no
rival in mining wealth. It has been estimated (Le Bresil, Levasseur et Rio Branco,
p. 67) that the gold produced by the mines of Brazil from the time of their discov-
ery to 1820 amounted to 960,000 kilograms, worth at least 3,000,000,000 francs (about
$600,000,000). One-half of this amount was yielded by the mines of iNlinas Geraes,
one-seventh by Goyaz, and the rest by Sao Paulo and Matto Grosso. Vernhagen, the
author of the standard history of Brazil, states that the gold exj^orted during the
eighteenth century, exclusive of what was smuggled, was worth over $300,000,000,
while the exports of diamonds during the same period, exclusive of smuggling, weighed
2 quintals (200 pounds).
Gold and diamonds were then found on or very near the surface of the ground.
The miners never dug deep pits. At the beginning of the nineteenth century these
superficial deposits were practically exhausted. At the same time the more attrac-
tive industry of coffee, rubber, etc., led to the great neglect in the extraction of gold
and precious stones. So the average yield from 1851 to 1870 for exportation was
about $1,400,000, and from 1881 to 1885, $600,000.
The State of Minas Geraes (all kinds of mines) owes its name to the mineral wealth
of its soil and to the importance of the mining resources contained within its limits.
Among these, as already stated, gold occupies the first rank, mines of this metal
formerly constituting the principal wealth of the State.
About the middle of the eighteenth century, in the year 1750, the greatest gold-
mining movement took place in this province, when Ouro Preto was called Villa
Rica, and contained more than 80,000 inhabitants. Since then the development of
the gold mines has diminished, other branches of activity and industry claiming the
attention of capitalists, fortune seekers, and speculators.
According to statistics (Recueil Consulaire de Belgique, vol. 104, 1899, p. 320), the
gold production of the principal large mining companies, either in oi)eration or which
have been operated in Minas Geraes, is as follows:
Kilograms.
“GongoSoco” mine and others of the English company, “ Imperial Bra-
zilian Mining Association ” (1824-1856) 13,200
“Morro Velho” mine of the English company, “The St. John del Ray Min-
ing Company, Limited” (1830-1898) 65,000
“Catta Branca” mine of the English company, “The Brazilian Company”
(1832-1844)
1,181
236
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
Kilograms.
“ Morro (le Santa Anna ” mine of the English company, “The Don Pedro
Gold Mining Company, Limited” (1862-1878) 3,000
“Pary” mine of the English company, “The Santa Barbara Gold Mining
Company, Limited” (1862-1896) 3,000
“Passagem” and “Raposos” mines of the English company, “The Ouro
Preto Gold Mines of Brazil, Limited” 4, 000
To the preceding list other mines and mining enterprises having a production of
about 1,000 kilograms each must be added. Gold extracted by private parties, espe-
cially during the last century, rose to a much higher figure, which it would now’ be
difficult to estimate.
As an illustration of the prospects of the mining industry in Brazil by modern
methods, attention may be called to the Sao Joao del Rey Mining Company, an Eng-
lish concession, operating since 1834, but only lately equipped with modern appli-
ances. It is stated in the last report of this company, for the month of October, 1900,
that from 9,700 to 10,000 tons of quartz are crushed per month, or 120,000 tons per
year, and that it is expected that very soon the proposed installation of the new
j)ower will enable 150,000 tons or more to be worked per year. The yield per ton
for the month w'as 7,448 octaves, or 25 grams. The total yield for the month w’as
72,250 octaves of gold, worth £27,762 ($138,810). In tlie following month the pro-
duction amounted to $36,000 from the 1st to the 10th and $37,085 from the 11th to
the 20th. Tliis is equivalent to $5,000 per day, or$l,800,000 per annum. The miners
work day and night, only stopping on St. John’s day. The expense per ton, inclu-
sive of taxes, fi.scalization, etc., is about $3 at the present rate of exchange. It is
now ascertained that this mine is far from being the richest or the most easily
W'orked of the many mines existing in Minas and other States. It is the opinion of
many experts that in the near future, when the digging of deep shafts is more gen-
erally practiced, there will be discovered in Brazil mines resembling the Transvaal
treasures. For a long time the gathering of gold and diamonds from the banks and
beds of rivers has been the occupation of thousands of people, this being their only
mode of earning a living in some districts of the States of Minas, Goyaz, and Matto
Grosso.
Following are some of the mining items which were elaborated
upon in the Monthly Bulletin of the Bureau of the American Republics
for January, 1901 :
During the year 1900 gold mines at Juez de F6re, of w’hich the percentage of pure
gold ranges from 50 to 100 grams per ton of ore ; preliminary examinations of gold
mines (some of wdiich are now’ being w’orked) at Caethe, Santa Barbara, Ouro Preto,
Antonio Pereira, Santa Ana, and Subara ; the Tassara gold mines of Ouro Preto ;
gold mines at Morro Vellio, Passagen, Sao Bento, Juca, Veira, Santa Quiteria, Curao,
and Honorio Bi^alco, all situated within a radius of 12 leagues and now’ employing
5,000 men.
The product is reported to be worth, on an average, 16,000,000 milreis.
BRITISH INDIA.
The director-general of statistics of British India informs this Bureau
that the production of gold in British India from 1892 has been as
follows:
Year.
W'eipht
{0.9Uq fine).
Fine
weight.
Value.
1892
Kiloqrams.
4,993
r.,2()2
f), 371
7, 043
10, 003
11,890
12, 773
14,213
15, 488
Kiloqrams. .
4,570.910
.5,740.100
5, 840. 083
7,000.083
9,224.410
10, 904. 00(i
11,708.683
13, 028. 583
14, 197. 333
§3, 041, 818
3,814,914
3,881,319
4,050,243
0, 130, 547
7,247,241
7,781,524
8, 058, 790
9, 435, 548
1893
1891
] 89.'i . . . .
1898
1897
1898
1899
1900 ."
No silver is produced in India.
The Kolar gold held, which furnishes substantially all of the gold
product of British India, contains some of the richest mines in the
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
237
world. The dividends of the M3^sore Company for the last two years
past have been 140 per cent in 1891) and 135 per cent in 1900, on a paid-
up c-apital of i^250,000, and the Champion Reef Compan^'^ has followed
next with 125 per cent for the yaiv ended Seidemher 30, 1899, and 130
per cent for the ^xar ended September 30, 1900, on a paid-up capital
of X*220,000. (The Mining World and Engineering Record, Nov. 9,
1901, p. 702.)
The article on the Mysore mine, reproduced below, shows the average
yield per ton since 1884 to have been 1 ounce 9 pcnn3Aveights 17 grains,
including the product of tiiilings. The com])any commenced paying
dividends in 1886, and has distributed in all an amount equal to 985 per
cent on the capital invested, or an average of 52 per cent annually
since organization, after returning the entire capital invested. If the
amount distributed in dividends is deducted from the value of the
product since 1884 and the balance is taken to represent the working
costs — the average cost per ounce, 0.916| line — since organization does
not exceed .£1 16s. 5d., leaving a balance for dividends amounting to
£2 Is. 7d. per ounce, or 112.4 per cenr on the working costs. The rate
of dividends to working costs for 1900 was 114.1 per cent.
There is a fair outlook for a large reduction of the working costs as
a result of improved methods. By substituting electricity for steam
power and utilizing water power for generating electricity it is expected
to reduce the cost per horsepower by fully one-half and to do away
with the use of fuel at the mine. The saving on the fuel item alone
means a reduction of from one-third to two-fifths of the total mining
cost. Further particulars are given below:
INDIAN MINE EXPENSES.
[From The Statist, London, July 13, 1901.]
In Volume XXXIII, part 1, of the Memoirs of the Geological Survey of India, there
is given a most interesting account of the working of Indian gold mines in the Kolar
district. In several directions the remarks of Dr. Hatch are of very suggestive
character, in particular his observations on the practicability of effecting considerable
economies in working cost. Much in the direction of the suggestions is already being
carried out. For instance, a defect in past years has been the fact that some big
companies have had multiplicity of mills that necessitated multiplicity of generating
power. Centralization is being, or has been, effected by some of the companies,
especially the Mysore, Champion Reef, and Ooregum. In regard to cost of power,
the outlouk is for a great reduction to lie effected within a little time, as a big scheme
is being carried out for generating electricity by means of water power. At present
steam power is reckoned to cost an average of £31 per horsepower per annum. By
utilizing the falls of the Cauvery River, 95 miles distant from Kolar, and transmitting
the power by cable, it is estimated that the working cost per horsepower per annum
will, when the scheme is effected, gradually come down to about £10. There will
he the economy of reduced amount of labor and of practical extinction at the mine
of the use of fuel and the cost of transit. Electric power will be most advantageous.
At present the fuel item alone represents between 33 and 40 per cent of the total
mining cost. Dr. Hatch sets out that a great deal more might be done than already
has been arranged in regard to the use of labor-saving appliances, such as self-dumping
skips, transport by endless-rope haulage, sorting belts and tables, in common use in
South Africa and the United States, though not so much as they should be emj)loyed
at Kolar, for the reason that in India native labor is so cheap. Having regard to
“sorting” out of waste rock on the Kolar field, there would appear to be practically
no labor-saving appliances, and the percentage of waste rock sorted out from the ore
and rock raised to the service might with advantage be increased, it ranging about 7
to 10 per cent only. The amount of handling the tailings undergo from the time
they leave the mill to the deposition on the residue heaps is commented upon, e. g. :
As soon as the pits are full they are emptied by coolies, who scrape the wet sand up .
into baskets, which they carry on their heads to the heaps. On the Randt, by
238
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
means of a tailings wheel, or some form of sand pump, tailings from the plates are
elevated, so that their deposition in vats and otherwise is almost automatic, and the
wastes are removed with a minimum of handling.
t
ELECTRICAL POWER SCHEME.
[From The Mining World and Engineering Record, London, Mareh 9, 1901.]
It is more than a year ago since we first drew attention to a proposal to “harness”
the well-known Cauvery Falls and supply the mines on the Kolar gold field with
electrical power. At that time considerable doubt was felt as to the practicability
of the scheme, owing to the large amount of power required and to the fact that this
]iower would have to be transmitted a distance of something like 90 miles.
Pilectrical power has for some years past been generated at the Niagara Falls and
successfully distributed over an area not exceeding 2 miles, and it is now contem-
plated to extend the distance to several hundred miles; and in Germany 300 horse-
power has been transmitted from Lauffen to Frankfort, a distance of 106 miles.
Moreover, Professor Forbes, the eminent electrical expert, in a report on the power
of the Periyar Lake in the Madras Presidency, has expressed the opinion that it
would be quite possible to transmit that power for 350 miles to Madras. It was,
however, with Capt. A. J. De Lotbiniere, R. Pk, deputy chief engineer of Mysore,
that the idea originated of providing the gold mines at Kolar with electrical power
to work their massive machinery, and he has during the last two years labored inde-
fatigably to prove the feasibility of his project and, what is more important, the eco-
nomic advantages of electricity over steam power. The height of the Cauvery Falls
is 320 feet, but for something like a mile above them the river flows over a succession
of rapids and minor falls, dropping about 100 feet in that di.stance. The power is
described as enormous — far more, in fact, than is required by the mining industry —
and should the present scheme prove successful it is intended to furnish the cotton
mills of Bangalore with electrical power from the same source.
To the credit of the Mysore government be it said that as soon as they were con-
vinced of the practical nature of Captain de Lotbiniere’s proposal they at once gave
it their Ic'arty support; and, acting under the advice of Messrs. John Taylor & Sons
the respective boards of the mining com]janies also accepted in a business like way
the terms proposed by the government for the supply of the necessary ])ower. The
agreement is for a period of ten years, and is made between the Mysore government
on the one hand and Messrs. John Taylor & Sons on the other hand. By it the
Mysore government undertakes to “provide and install, in addition to the ])lant
necessary for generating, transmitting, and transforming the electrical power, all con-
ductors, motors, electrically driven air conqwessors, and other apparatus and build-
ings necessary for distributing and utilizing such power.” The main features of the
agreement (the Madras Weekly Mail states) are that the mines will take a minimum
of 4,000 horse[)ower, and any further increase not less than 2,000 horsepower or more
than 4,000 horsepower. The payments are to be as follows: During the first year
from the commencement of supply, £29 per horsepower per annum; during the
second, third, and fourth years, £18 per horsepower per annum; during the fifth
year “such sum, not exceeding £24 per horsejiower per annum, as the government
may determine;” and during the remaining five years £10 per horsepower per
annum. It may be stated here that the cost of working the machinery at the mines
by steam power is about £30 per horsepower ])er annum, so that an annual su[)|>ly
of 4,000 horse])Ower would amount to £120,000. Similar power supplied by elec-
tricity on the basis of the agreement just alluded to would cost £628,000 in the ten
years, or an average of £62,800 ]>er annum. From these figures it would seem as if
the saving to the conq)anies will be ecjual to £57,200 a year. It is left to Messrs.
John Taylor & Sons to decide as to the allotment of the power to each of the mines
on the field.
THE MYSORE MINE.
[From the World and Engineering Record, London, March 9, 1901.]
The ]>rogress of time will be realized by many of our readers when they under-
stand that the present is the twenty-first annual report the existing Mysore com-
pany has issued.
We are told that the actual grade of the quartz has been some pennyweights
lower. That is due to the treatment of a far larger quantity of lower grade ore than
would have been dealt with in former years, owing to improvements in the machinery.
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
239
As indicating the extent or the company’s operations it may l)e mentioned that
5,297 persons are employed on the mine.
In regard to the output of gold, it has heen 162,133 ounces, to which the cyanide
works contributed 19,024. The gold sold for £633,277, and the ju'ofit on the year’s
working was £401,746. The actual amount at the (lisi)o.sal of the directors was £403,-
774, out of which they have paid £200,000 in dividends, £19,000 income ta.x; written
off to depreciation and sinking fund £35,247; contrihnted to the Indian famine fund
£500; and Avith otner amounts rea(4ied a total of £264,111. Out of tlie l)alance a
final dividend of 5s. 6d. })er share was declared, payable to-day, absorbing £137,500,
leaving £2,162 to he carried forward. The actual dividend for the year was 135 i)er
cent, as compared with 140 per cent the previous year. A very useful table of com-
parison is given, showing the results of 1899 as compared with 1900. The gold pro-
duced Avas 155,786 ounces in 1899, as compared Avith 163,133 ounces in 1900, and the
sales realized £606,947 in 1899, as compared Avith £633,277 in 1900.
The usual statistical tables are given at the end of the report, and from these Ave
find that from 1884 804,755 tons of quartz and 696,183 tons of tailings have been
treated fora production of 1,195,469 ounces, Avhich realized £4,665,113. The share-
holders have received in dividends £2,486,905. During the year 30,000 neAV shares
of 10s. each Avere issued at a premium of £4 10s. per share, for the purpose of enor-
iirously increasing the machinery and plant.
BRITISH NORTH AMERICA.
The value of the production for 1900 is officiall}^ stated at $27,880,518,
which represents 1,348,720 ounces, or 41,951 kilograms fine. All this
quantity is won in Canada. There is no information available for the
production of the pretdous metals in Newfoundland. Estimates of the
production of gold at Swansea, Wales, from Newfoundland ores have
appeared in the Mineral Industry every year since 1896. An examina-
tion of the British import statistics does not, however, confirm these
estimates.
The progress of gold mining in Canada in 1900, since the discovery
of gold in the Yukon, is shown in the following table:
Year.
Value of
annual
Increase over the
preceding year.
product.
Value.
Per cent.
1897
f6, 027, 016
13, 775, 420
21,2(»,437
27, 880, 518
1898
$7, 748, 404
7,485, 017
6, 620, 081
128
1899
54
1900
31
There was added every year about $7,000,000 to the value of the
annual product. As most of it came from the Y ukon district, where the
production was partly estimated and given only in millions of dollars,
variations below $1,000,000 may be disregarded. The relative rate of
increase must naturally have fallen off with the growth of the annual
production. This increase is entirely due to Y ukon and British Colum-
bia, whose aggregate product amounted to 96.8 per cent of the entire
product for Canada. The production in Nova Scotia and Ontario
decreased during the year.
The silver production of 1900 was 4,448,755 ounces, or 138,400 kilo-
grams fine, of a United States coining value of $5,751,926, which
shows a marked progress over 1899 and l)rings it back to the level of
1898. Of this quantity 88.5 per cent was won in British Columbia, to
which practically all the increase was due.
The information given here was compiled from Canadian official
publications and brought up to date from information furnished by
240
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
Mr. Abraham E. Smith, United States consul at Victoria, British
Columbia, as well as by direct correspondence with the geological
survey of Canada.
According to information furnished to this Bureau by the geological
survey department of Canada, under date of Ottawa, May 23, 1898, an
ounce of tine gold was taken, for statistical purposes, at $20.67. The
rate adopted for the value of the fine gold product in the tables of this
Bureau is $20.671831625+. This accounts for the slight deviation in
the total value of the gold product of Canada, in the table of the
world’s production, from the figures reproduced here from Canadian
sources.
The commercial value of an ounce of fine silver for 1900 has been
accepted at $0.62, which likewise explains the difference between the
total value of the silver product of Canada, given above, and that
appearing in the table of the world’s production.
Geological Survey of Canada,
Ottmva, April ^3, 1901.
Dear Sir: Your letter to the late Dr. G. M. Dawson, dated January 19 last, has lain
over in order that we might obtain the information you desired, which I have now
the pleasure of sending you on a separate memorandum.
Yours, truly,
Robert Bell, Acting Director.
Hon. George E. Roberts,
Director of the Mint, Treasury Department,
Washington, D. C., U. S. A.
Production of Gold and Silver in Canada, 1900, by Provinces.
Province.
Gold.
Silver.
Value.
Ounces.
Commercial
value.
Nova Scotia
S570.918
Quebec
58,400
161,650
835,863
99, 269
Ontario
297, 495
5,009
22, 275, 000
4, 732, 105
Saskatchewan River
Yukon district
290,000
3, 938, 705
178, 089
2, 418, 759
British Columbia
Total
27, 880, 518
4, 448, 755
2, 731, 980
Elfric Drew Ingall.
To the Director U. S. Mint, George E. Roberts.
Ottawa, Ajjril 33, 1901.
The latest annual report of the section of mineral statistics and
mines, geological survey of Canada, contains corrected figures of the
production and exports of gold and silver in Canada, brought down to
1899.
The exports for 1899, according to the information obtained from
the books of the customs department, were as follows:
Gold $6, 437, 029
Silver 1,623,905
Neither gold nor silver was imported.
GOLD.
Owing largely to the continued productiveness of the Yukon placer
deposits, the yield of gold in Canada in 1899 reached a total value of
$21,261,581, a value which the yearly total mineral production of
Canada previous to 1895 had not attained.
In 1898 the output was $13,775,120, so that the increase in 1899
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
241
amoimtod to $7,4S(),1(»4, or 54 per cent. The inereasc of 1898 over
1897 was 128 per cent, and of 1897 over 1896, 118 per cent.
As has been said, much of these laroe increases is due to the placer
working’s on the rivers of the Y^ukon district; nevertheless, while atten-
tion is thus drawn to our present chief souree of supply duo credit
must at the same time be given to our other gold areas whose output
has been steadily increasing. Excluding the product of the Yukon,
the increase in the output of the other gold fields in 1899 over 1898
amounted to 39.3 per cent, the increase of 1898 over 1897 being 7 per
cent, and of 1897 over 1896, 43.6 per cent.
The proportions contributed by the various provinces to the total in
1899 were approximately as follows: Yukon district, 75 per cent;
British Columbia, nearly 20 per cent; Nova Scotia, about 3 per cent,
and Ontario, about 2 per cent. Seventeen million three hundred and
sixt}^-four thousand eight hundred and sixteen dollars, or nearly 82
per cent of the total, was derived from placer worjiings, and $3,896,768,
or 18 per cent, from milling and smelting ores.
Increases in production are shown in all the important gold-producing
provinces, viz: Nova Scotia, Ontario, British Columbia, and the Yukon
district; those in which decreases are shown — Quebec and the Saskatch-
ewan River — having but a small output compared with the others.
xVnnual Production of Gold in Canada.
1887 . .
1888 ..
1889 ..
1890 ..
1891 . .
1892 . .
1893 . .
1894 . .
1895 . .
18%. »
1897 . .
1898 . .
1899 . .
1900..
Ctilemlar year.
Fine ounces.
Value.
67,465
53, 150
62, 658
56, 625
46,022
43, 909
47, 247
64, 605
100, 806
133, 274
291,682
666, 446
1,028,620
1, 348, 720
SI, 187, 804
1, 098, 610
1,295,159
1,149,776
930, 614
907, 601
976, 603
1,128,688
2,083,674
2, 754, 774
6, 027, 016
13, 775, 420
21,261,584
27, 880, 518
(Calculated from the values at the rate of S20.67 pe^ ounce.)
NOVA SCOTIA.
GOLD.
The production in 1899, $617,604, is the highest recorded and is
greater than that of the previous year by $79,014, or nearly 15 per
cent. The (piantity of quartz crushed increased in even greater pro-
portion than the output of gold, so that the average yield per ton
was only $5.50 as compared with $6.50 in 1898. An examination of
Table 4 will show that from 1863 to 1892 the average yield per ton
varied from $22 to $11, while since 1892 the yield has averaged less
than $8 per ton.
The highest average yield per ton from districts producing over
1,000 ounces was from Wine Harbor, the return there being 18 penny-
weight 12 grains, or $18.03, and the least was from Salmon River, with
an average of 1 pennyweight 18 grains, or $1.71 per ton. The greatest
yield of any district was obtained from Renfrew, with a return of 3
ounces 16 pennyweight 21 grains, or $74.95 per ton. The average
yield for the province was 5 pennyweight 15 grains, or $5.50.
12066— 01 16
242
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
Annual Pkoduction, Gold.
Calendar year.
Value.
Calendar year.
Value.
1862
$141,871
272, 448
390. 349
496,357
491, 491
632,563
400,555
348, 427
387,392
374, 972
255.349
231, 122
178, 244
218, 629
233, 585
329, 205
245,253
268,328
257, 823
209,755
1882
$275,090
301,207
313,554
432, 971
45.5,564
413,631
436, 939
610,029
474,990
451, 503
389, 965
381,095
389,338
463, 119
493,568
662, 165
538,690
617, 604
570,918
1863
1883
1864
1884
1865
1885
1866
1886
1867
1887
1868
1888
1869
1889
1870
1890
1871
1891
1872
1892
1873
1893
1874
1894
1875
1895
1876
1896
1877
1897
1878
1898
1879
1899
1880
1900
1881
Ore Treated and Yield op Gold per ton.
Calendar year.
Ton.s
treated.
Yield of
gold per
ton.
1862
6,473
17,000
21, 431
24, 421
$21.91
16. 02
1863
1864
18. 21
1865
20. 32
1866
32, 157
31,384
32, 259
35, 144
30, 824
30, 787
17,089
17,708
13,844
14, 810
16,490
17,369
17, 989
15, 936
13,997
15.28
1867
16.96
1868
12.41
1869
19.91
1870
12.56
1871
12. 17
1872
14.94
1873
13. 05
1874
12. 87
1875
14.76
15.08
1876
1877
18. 95
1878
13.63
1879
16.83
1880
18. 42
Calendar year.
Tons
treated.
Yield of
gold per
ton.
1881
16,556
$12.66
1882
21, 081
13.04
1883
25,954
11.60
1884
25,186
12.44
1885
28,890
14. 98
1886
29, 010
15. 70
1887
32, 280
12. 81
1888
36, 178
12.08
1889
39, 160
13.02
1890
42,749
11.11
1891
36, 351
12.42
1892
32, 652
11.98
1893
42,354
8.99
1894
55,357
7.04
1896
60,600
• 7.47
1896
69, 169
7.13
1897
73, 192
7.68
1898
82, 774
6.50
1899
112,226
5.60
QUEBEC.
Annual Production, Gold.
Calendar year.
Value.
Calendar year.
Value.
1877
$12, 057
17, 937
23, 972
33, 174
56, 661
17,093
17,787
8,720
2, 120
3,981
1,604
3,740
1889
$1,207
1,350
1,800
12, 987
15, 696
29, 196
1,281
3,000
9(K)
6,089
4,916
1878
1890
1879
1891
1880
1892
1881
1893
1882
1894
1883
1895
1884
1896
1885
1897
1886
1898
1887
1899
1888
ONTARIO.
Most of the gold output from Ontario is derived from the free-
milling ore of the western part of the Province, though the gold found
in association with arsenical pyrites in Hastings County is worked to
a considerable extent. The gold industry has been of comparatively
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
243
recent growth, jiiiiounting in 1891 to only ^2,000. Tlie output for
1899 was $421,591, as compared with $205,889 in 1898, the increase
being- $155,702, or 58 per cent.
From 05,403 tons of ore mined there were obtained 25,371 ounces of
crude bullion of an average value per ounce of $10.02. The value per
ton of ore treated ranged from $3.50 to $11, and averaged $6.45 for
the total output.
Annual Production, Gold.
Calendar year.
Fine
ounces.
Value.
1887
327
S6, 760
1888
1889
1890 . .
1891
97
344
708
1,917
3, 015
5,563
9,158
12, 864
20, 395
2,000
7,118
14, 637
39, 624
62,320
115,000
189, 294
265,889
421,591
1892
1893
18&4
1895
1896
1897
1898
1899
Calculated from the value at the rate of S20.07 per ounce.
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES.
The gold fields of the Northwest Territories are confined to the
alluvial workings of the Saskatchewan River, and those of the Yukon
River and its tributaries. The difficulty of obtaining anything like
accurate statistics of the output from such deposits as these, where
thousands of men are independently engaged in mining the precious
metal, will be easily recognized. Much of the Saskatchewan River
gold finds its way to the local banks, and a basis for an estimation of
the product is thus found, while the greater part of the Yukon gold
is ultimately sold at the different receiving offices of the United States
Mint. The receipts of these offices, taken in conj unction with careful
estimates by government officers, bank managers, and transportation
companies at Dawson, furnish a means of estimating the Yukon output
probably as accurately as it is possible to obtain it.
• Statistics of production in the two districts since 1887 are shown in
the following table :
Gold Production.
Calendar year.
1885
1886
1887
1888
1889
1890
1891
189-2
1893
1894
1895
189(i
1897
1898
1899
Total
Yukon district.
Saskatchewan
river.
Fine
ounces.
Value.
Fine
ounces.
Value.
j- 4,838
3,387
1,935
8,466
8, 466
1,935
4,233
8,515
6,047
12, 095
14, 514
120, 948
483, 793
774,069
$100,000
70.000
40.000
175, 000
175. 000
40,000
87, 500
176.000
125.000
250. 000
300. 000
2, 500, 000
10, 000, 000
16, 000, 000
102
58
968
194
266
508
466
725
2,419
2,661
2,419
1, ‘209
7‘26
$2,100
1,200
20,000
4,000
5,500
10,506
9,640
15.000
60.000
55.000
50.000
25.000
16.000
1,453,241
30, 038, 500
12,721
262, 946
Calculated from the value at the rate of f-20.67 per ounce.
244
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
The production of the Yukon district in 1899 is estimated at
$16,000,000, an increase over the previous year of $6,000,000, or
60 per cent. The total output of this district to the end of 1899
has been over $30,000,000.
The occurrence of gold and the geological features of the district
are being examined by Mr. K. G. McConnell, of the Survey, and a
full preliminary report of his investigations during the summer of
1899 will be found in the summary report for that year. (See Report
on Production of Precious Metals, Bureau of the Mint, 1899.)
Mr. McConnell reports:
It is unlikely that the rapid increase in production of the last two years will be
continued, as serious inroads have already been made on the rich portions of Eldo-
rado and Bonanza creeks, and to a less extent on Hunker and Dominion creeks, but
the amounts remaining, with the long stretches of medium and low grade gravels
still untouched on all the creeks, insure a high production for a number of years.
The employment of machinery in the working of Klondike claims is gradually
increasing, but is still insignificant, a fact due largely to the absence of roads and the
consequent impossibility of transporting heavy pieces up the creeks. Steam thawers
are largely used, and steam pumps are gradually replacing hand pumps, Chinese
pumps, and water wheels for draining the pits. Steam hoists are employed at a few
of the mines, but are not in general use.
The greater ])art of the work of the camp is still done by hand, and this notwith-
standing the fact that, taking into consideration the high price of labor, nowhere in
the world could machinery be more profitably employed.
BRITISH COLUMBIA.
The record production of gold in British Columbia, which was made
in 1863 and amounted to $3,913,563, has at last been exceeded. The
output for 1899 was $4,202,473, and was greater than the output for
1898 ])y nearly 43 per cent. The production of 1863, and for many
3'cars subsequently, was derived entirely from placer workings,
whereas during the past }mar 32 per cent of the product was olitained
from the placer and hydraulic workings and 68 per cent from lode
mining.
The yield of placer gold was $1,344,900, an amount not equaled
within the past twelve years and over double the placer yield for 1898.
Tin's increase is due to the Atlin district in the northern part of the
province, the output of which is reported as $800,000. The output of
the other placer districts has not changed much from the previous ^mar.
Production of Gold in Britisu Columbia, 1890-1900.
Calendar year.
Value.
Calendar year.
Value.
1890
S494.43G
429, 811
399, 525
379, 535
530, 530
1, 206, 954
1896
SI, 788, 206
2, 724, 657
2,939,852
4,202,473
4, 732, 105
1891
1897
1892
1898
1893
1899
1894
1900
1895
Averagk Net Smelter Returns, or Actual Yield per Ton.
Year.
Gold.
Silver.
Copper.
Value.
1894
Ounces.
2
Otinces.
2. 89
Per cent.
2.85
S40. 69
35. 67
1895
1.60
2.41
2. 10
1896
1.45
2. 34
2.08
32. 65
1897 1
1.42
1.60
1.32
30. 48
1898
.78
1.54
2.35
22. 10
1899
. 596
1.07
1.65
18.70
Average, 412,375 tons
. 916
1.47
1.85
23.81
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
245
SILVEU.
The production of silver in Canada reached a maximun in 1897,
when the output was 5,558,446 ounces, valued at $3,323,395. The
past two years have shown successive decreases, so that the output of
1899, which was 3,411,644 ounces, valued at $2,032,658, or 59.58 cents
per ounce, was less than the output of 1897 by over a million dollars.
The production of silver has increased very largely since 1894, due
entirely to the output from British Columbia. The other provinces,
Ontario and Quebec, were, previous to 1894, the most important silver
producers, British Columbia in these }mars occupying but a secondary
position. Since 1894, however, production in the eastern provinces
has greatl}’^ fallen away, ceasing altogether in Ontario in 1894, 1895,
and 1896, while in Quebec the output is not much more than one-fourth
of what it was ten years ago.
The silver production in British Columbia is chiefly from the silver-
lead ores of the Slocan, the silver-copper ores of Nelson, the pyrrho-
tite and chalcop3H’ite ores of Rossland also contributing to the total
output.
The production b}^ districts in 1898 and 1899 was as follows:
District.
1898.
1899.
Kootenai East:
Fort Steele division
Ounces.
69, 780
Otinces.
33, 516
1,627
268, 165
483, 659
1,891,025
185, 818
48,463
2,719
16
47
24,358
other divisions
Kootenai West:
Ainsworth division
167, 147
692, 367
3,068,648
170,804
121,510
Nelson division
Slocan division
Trail Creek division
other divisions
Yale:
Osovoos fWvision
Similkanieen
Yale
Coast and other districts
2,145
Total
4, 292,401
2, 939, 413
The most important change is the large decrease in the output of
the Slocan. In this division in 1899, 21,507 tons of ore were mined as
-compared with 30,691 tons in 1898 and 33,567 tons in 1897. The labor
troubles of 1899 doubtless had much to do with this decrease.
The following tables show the output and average }deld per ton of
the Slocan mines for the past five }"ears:
Net Production per Smelter Returns.
Year.
Ore.
Silver.
Lead.
Gold.
Value.
1896
Totis.®
9,514
16,560
33,567
30, 691
21,507
Ounces.
1,122,770
1,954,268
3,641,287
3, 068, 648
1,891,025
Pounds.
9, 666, 324
18,175,074
30, 707, 705
27, 063, 595
16, 660, 910
Ounces.
6
f 1,045, 600
1,85'!, on
3,280,686
2, 619, 852
1,740, 372
1896...
152
1897
193
1898
60
1899
14
Total
111,839
11,677,988
102,273.608
425
10,540,521
“ 2,000 pounds.
246
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
Actual Yield per Ton.
Year.
Silver.
Lead.
Value.
1895
Ounces.
118
Per cent.
50.8
54.9
$109.90
111.95
1896
118
1897
108.5
45.7
97.7‘i
1898
100
44.1
85.36
1899
87.9
38.7
80.92
For 111,889 tons •
104.4
45.7
94. 25
The following table gives the exports of silver ores as entered in
the customs returns. Attention should perhaps be drawn to the dis-
crepancies between this table and the table of production, since it
would appear to show that more silver has been exported than has
been produced during the past four years. The tigures of production
for these years are known to be based upon smelter returns, and the
quantities are valued at the average market value for the refined metal.
They can, therefore, be assumed to be the more correct:
Exports of Silver Ore.
Province.
Calendar year —
1893.
1894.
1895.
1896.
1897.
1898.
1899.
Ontario
$7, 878
820
$100
$5,885
$40, 298
$61,948
Manitoba
Northwest Territories
1,212
2,860, 767
7, 743
1,554,214
British Columbia
204, 997
$359, 731
994, 254
$2, 27i, 959
3, 570, 506
Total
213, 695
359, 731
994, 354
2, 271, 9.59
3, 576, 391
2, 902, 277
1, 623, 905
Silver, Annual Production.
Calendar year.
Ontario.
Quebec.
British Columbia.
Quantity.
Value.
Quantity.
Value.
Quantity.
Value.
1887
Ounces.
190, 495
208,064
181,609
158, 715
225, 633
41,581
$186, 304
195,580
169, 986
166,016
222, 926
36, 425
8, 689
Ounces.
146, 898
149, 388
148, 517
171,545
185,584
191,910
$143, 666
140, 425
139, 012
179, 436
183, 357
168, 113
126,439
63, 830
53, 369
46, 942
48,116
43, 655
23, 970
35,863
Ounces.
17,690
79, 780
53,192
70, 427
3, 306
77, 160
$17, 301
74, 993
49, 787
73, 666
3, 266
67, 692
195, 000
470,219
976, 930
2, 102, 561
3,272,2.89
2,500,753
1,751,302
2, 418. 759
1888
1889
1«90
1891
1892
1893
1894
101,318
81, 753
70, 000
80, 475
74, 932
40, 231
58,400
746, 379
1, 496, 522
3, 135, 343
5,472,971
4 292,401
2,939,413
3, 938, 705
1895
1896
1897
5, 000
85, 000
202, 000
161,650
2,990
49, 521
120, 352
99, 269
1898
1899
1900
Calendar year.
Yukon.
Total.
Quantity.
Value.
Quantity.
Value.
1887
Ounces.
Ounces.
355, 083
437, 232
383,318
400, 687
414, 523
310, 651
$347, 271
410, 998
358,785
419,118
409, 549
272, 130
330, 128
534, 049
1,030, 299
2,149,503
3, 323, 395
2, 593, 929
2, 032, 653
2,731,980
1888
1889
1890
1891
1892
1893
1894
847, 697
1,578,275
3,205,343
6, 558, 446
4,452,333
3,411,644
4,448,765
1895
1896
1897
1898
1899
230. 000
290. 000
$137,034
178, 089
1900
247
PUECIOLIS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
Consulate of the United States,
Victoria^ May 29, 1901.
Sir: I have the honor to inclose the following statistics in regard to the mines of
British Columbia, condensed from the otiicial report of the minister of mines, just
published:
Britisli Columbia has produced up to date $62,584,442 of placer gold, $12,812,860 of
lode gold, $12,638,449 of silver, $7,619,626 of lead, and $4,362,583 of copper. Total
mineral production for 1900, $11,348,481. The minister observes that the population
of the Prt)vince is estimated at 160,000, and this makes an average of about $70.93 to
every inhabitant.
The gold production of the Province for the year 1900, including both placer and
lode gold, M'as wortli $4,732,105, an increase over 1899 of $529,632. The total amount
of silver produced the past year was 3,958,175 ounces, worth $2,309,200, an increase
in value over 1899 of $645,492, or an equivalent of 39 per cent. The output of lead
for 1900 amounts to 63,358,621 pounds, valued at $2,691,887. This is an increase
over the previous year of $1,813,017, equivalent to 206 percent. The fine copper
produced in 1900 was 9,977,080 pounds, worth $1,615,289, an increase in pounds
worth $1,351,453, an increase in value of 19.5 per cent over the previous year.
The current wages per day in and about the mines are as follows: Miners, $3 to
$3.50; helpers, $2 to $2.50; laborers, $2 to $2.50; blacksmiths and mechanics, $3 to $5.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Arkaham E. Smith,
United Slates Consul.
Hon. Thomas W. Cridler,
Assistant Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
Mineral PRODucrnoN of British Columbia.
[From tbe Annual Report of the Minister of Mines for the year ending December 31, 1900.]
METHOD OF COMPUTING PRODUCTION.
In assembling the output of the lode mines in the following tables, the established
custom of this department has been adhered to, viz, the output of a mine for the
year is considered that amount of ore for which the smelter or mill returns have been
received during the year. This system does not give the exact output of the mine
for the year, but rather the amounts credited to the mine on the company’s books
during such year.
For ore shipped in December the smelter returns are not likely to be received until
February of the new^ year or later, and have, consequently, to be carried over to the
credit of such new year. This plan, however, will be found very approximate for
each year and ultimately correct, as ore not credited to one year is included in the
next.
In the lode-mines table the amount of the shipments has been obtained from cer-
tified returns received from the various mines, as provided lor in the “inspection of
metalliferous mines act, 1897.” In calculating the values of the products the aver-
age ])rice for the year in the New York metal market has been used as a basis. For
silver 95 per cent and for lead 90 per cent of such market jirice have been taken.
Treatment and other charges have not been deducted.
Total Production for all Years up to and Including 1900.
Gold, placer $62, 584, 443
Gold, lode 12,812,860
Silver 13, 649, 809
Amount and Value of Gold and Silver Product for 1898, 1899, and 1900.
Metals.
1898.
1899.
1900.
Quantity.
Value.’
Quantity.
Value.
Quantity.
Value,
Gold, placer
Ounces.
32, 1C7
110, OCl
4,292, 401
$643, 346
2,201,217
2, 375, 841
Ounces.
07, 245
138,315
2,939,413
$1,344,900
2,857,573
1,663, 708
Ounces.
63, 936
167, 153
3, 968, 175
$1,278,724
3,453,381
2,309,200
Goldjiode
Silver
Total
4,431,029
5, 220, 401
3,144,973
5, 866, 181
4, 189, 264
7,041,305
248
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
Calculated out into percentages, the following is what this table shows:
Placer gold in 1900 shows 5 per cent decrease from 1899 and 99 per cent increase
over 1898.
Lode gold in 1900 shows 21 per cent increase over 1899 and 57 per cent increase
over 1898.
Combined gold in 1900 shows 12J per cent increase over 1899 and 66 per cent
increase over 1898.
Silver in 1900 shows 39 per cent increase over 1899 and 3 per cent decrease from
1898.
PLACER GOLD.
The following table contains the yearly production of placer gold to date, as deter-
mined by the returns vSent in by the banks and express companies of gold transmitted
by them to the mints, and from returns sent in liy the gold commissioners and min-
ing recorders. To these yearly amounts one-third was added up to the year 1878;
from then to 1895 and for 1898 and 1899, one-fifth, which proportions are considered
to represent approximately the amount of gold sold of which there is no record.
This placer gold contains from 10 to 25 per cent silver, but the silver value has not
been separated from the totals, as it would be insignificant.
Yield of Placer Gold per Year to Date.
1858
1859
1860
1861
1862
1863
1864
1865
1866
1867
1868
1869
1870
1871
1872
1873
1874
1875
1876
1877
1878
1879
1880
$705, 000
1,615, 070
2, 228, 543
2, 666, 118
2, 656, 903
3, 913, 563
3, 735, 850
3, 491, 205
2, 662, 106
2, 480, 868
3, 372, 972
1, 774, 978
1, 336, 956
1, 799, 440
1,610,972
1, 305, 749
1, 844, 618
2, 474, 004
1, 786, 648
1,608, 182
1,275, 204
1, 290, 058
1,013, 827
1881
1882
1883
1884
1885
1886
1887
1888
1889
1890
1891
1892
1893
1894
1895
1896
1897
1898
1899
1900
Total
$1, 046, 737
954, 085
794, 252
736, 165
713, 738
903, 651
693, 709
616, 731
588, 923
490, 435
429, 811
399, 526
356, 131
405, 516
481, 683
644, 026
513, 520
643, 346
1, 344, 900
1, 278, 724
62, 584, 443
PRODUCn’lON OF LODE MINES.
The information as to production in the earlier years is obtained from the Mineral
Statistics and Mines for 1896, geological survey of Canada:
1887
1888
1880
1890
1891
1892
189:5
1891
189r>
1890
1897
1898
1899
1900
ToLil
Gold.
Silver.
Years.
Ounces.
Value.
Ounces.
Value.
17, 090
79, 780
63, 192
70, 427
4,600
1,170
123, 404
0,252
125,014
39, 204
785, 271
62, 269
1,244,180
100,141
2,122,820
110, 001
2,201,217
138,315
2,857,673
167,163
3, 453, 381
77, 100
227, 000
746, 379
1,496,622
3,135,343
5,472,971
4,292,401
2, 939, 413
3,958,175
S;i7, 331
76, 000
47,873
73, 948
4,0(X)
60, 935
195,000
470, 219
977, 229
2, 100, 089
3,272,830
2, 375, 8-11
1,603, 70S
2, 309, 200
0:50,015
12, 812, 800
22, 670, 963
13, 649, 809
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
‘24U
CONCEKNINCi rUOSI’EC'rs.
While production must be tlie ultimate measure t>f our success as a mining com-
munity, yet but a small portion of the energy of the country is employed in a class
of mining which is at the present time productive. Every accessible section of the
Province is being “prospected” more or less thoroughly, and many sections are being
developed with good promises of success, while still others which are known to con-
tain valuable mineral must necessarily lie dormant until the growth of the country
provides sufficiently good transportation facilities to enable them to be opened up.
Prospects are “promises,” and the degree of faith placed in their fulfillment will
be measured by the manner in which our mines — the prospects of a few years ago —
are now fulfilling the promises then given.
The statistics show that these mines have, during the past year (1900), paid back
principal and interest to the lenders of the money for their development.
This total amount so returned was, in 1898, $6,529,420; in 1899, $6,751,604, and
in 1900 reached the sum of $10,069,757, an increase of 49 per cent over 1899 and 54
per cent over 1898.
Prospects may be said to borrow money on promissory notes, and, unfortunately,
many “ promising prospects ” have failed to meet their obligations, with the result
that the capitalist can only be induced to advance money by the expectation of a high
premium and a large rate of interest on the loan.
In consideration of such high premium and rate of interest, the lender mu.st neces-
sarily expect to make losses in individual cases, but if, in a series of transactions, the
principal and a fair rate of interest is returned, then this form of investment must be
considered a profitable one, and that it is so profitable is found by those who investi-
gate the matter.
These “notes” of the prospects have, however, to pass through the hands of pro-
moters who, too often, not content with a regular commission, raise the “ notes” or
add on such a premium that but a small percentage of the original loan is available
for the development of the prospect.
A prospect which gets, say, $10,000 might pay back such loan doubled or trebled,
but why should it be saddled with a debt of $1,000,000 and expected to pay this back
with interest? Is it any wonder that a prospect like this becomes a failure?
Why should mining investment not be entered into as would any commercial busi-
ness, only after serious investigation?
If the investing public — the real lenders of money to the prospects — would exercise
ordinary bu.siness caution and see to it that the money for the stock they buy is used
as it should be, on work and not to fatten the promoter, there would be more suc-
cessful workin" mines in the Province to-day.
The Klondike Field.
[From the Economist, London, November 2, 1901, pp. 1612-1613.]
There are two tributaries of the Yukon, which fall into the larger river 20 miles
apart — the Klondike and the Indian by name. Between these there is a higli ridge
of country, and from either side of this ridge flow numerous creeks into these small
rivers. Such is the topographical feature of the country for 40 miles back from the
Yukon.
This district, then, 20 miles wide, 40 long, and bounded on three sides by the
rivers named, is called “The Klondike,” and to this area is confined the population
and the activity.
The country rock of the Klondike is a coarse-grained siliceous schist. Lying on
this in the creek beds and on “benches” on the hillsides above the creeks is a layer
of white quartz gravel, which contains the alluvial gold. This “gravel” is made up
of pieces of waterworn quartz, varying in size from a pin’s head to a ton or so in
weight, and perhaps one-half of the total bulk consists of stones weighing several
])Ounds. The layers of gravel found lying on the benches on the hillside, perhaps
200 or 300 feet above the present beds of the creeks, may represent the original level
of the creeks at the time the gravel was brought there. In this case the creek gravels
have sunk with the bed of the creek, and might be expected to be more concentrated
and therefore richer than the gravel on the benches.
Some geologists consider that the creek and bench gravels are due to different
origins. They also differ as to the origin of the gold, and in only one essential —
that is to say, in all differing from each other — are they unanimous about any
geological fact or theory connected with this field.
250
PEECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
But one thing is certain: Tiie gold M^as there all right, both in tlie creeks and in
the bench gravels, and £13,000,000 have already been taken out.
Klondike is much the richest alluvial field discovered since the early days of Cal-
ifornia and Victoria, but is handicapped by the exceptional cost of treatment. A lot
of people would have one believe that the present finds of alluvialgold are as nothing
compared to the great quartz reefs which are to be discovered before long. On the
mind of the layman they leave the impression that somewhere near Klondike is an
immense mother lode, only half disintegrated, which half has furnished the alluvial
gold already found, rotten with visible gold, and certain to be the greatest mineral
deposit ever found since the wmrld began. This is, of course, all rubbish. The gold
found in the creeks, being not greatly waterworn, no doubt at one time existed in
small rich quartz veins, probably in hills close to its present position, which would
have long since eroded, but there is no reason to think that below or in the present
country rock of schist any more such veins will be found. I inspected one or two of
the so-called quartz mines, which were l)eing opened by small winzes, and would
not have accepted as a gift the properties which they are located on. A year ago
there was great talk of a blanket formation, too, found about 30 miles from Dawson.
It was even rumored that this was the mother lode at last. But a friend of mine
who sampled it could hardly get even traces out of it, so the quest for the mother
lode has again been transferred elsewhere.
Turning, then, our attention exclusively to the alluvial gravels, let me try to ex-
})lain the richness of these and the excessive cost of treating them. There are about
70 miles of creek beds carrying gravel. The width varies from 20 to 30 feet near the
source of the creek to perhaps 1,000 feet where the creek enters the river. The
depth of gravel varies, but will average probably 10 or 12 feet. As can be easily
imagined, the gold, which is in coarse flakes or in small nuggets, has mostly sunk to
the bottom of the gravel, and probably nine-tenths of it is found in the lower inch or
two, or even down in among the cracks in the half decomposed bedrock. It is thus
necessary to handle about 12 feet deep ot gravel, plus a layer of black vegetable
mold, which lies on the top of it, and to dig down several feet into the decomposed
bedrock in order to expose the gold. If all this material could be broken down by
a big stream of water, played through a nozzle, and if it could then be swept aAvay
through a sluice box, leaving the gold lying in the bottom of the box, the expense
of treatment would be nothing to speak of. But at the Klondike there is not
enough water for this i)urpose, and not enough grade to carry the material away; it
has all to be broken by pick and shovel, reshoveled into a sluice box, which too
often has not enough water in it for proi)er work, and this by laborers who cost the
employer on an average 27s. 6d. per man a day. The gravels on the benches are
still more expensive to handle. A small stream of water for sluicing has to be
pumped up out of the creek, and the wood fuel that is used for this costs equal to £7
a ton for coal. The same labor is needed lor breaking down the gravel, and there is
an extra cost in building barricades to prevent tlie tailings running down into the
creeks.
Labor is, of course, much the heaviest item in the bill. A laborer receives £1 a
day and his food, which probably costs 7s. 6d. a day. He can not be reduced under
present conditions. To get to Klondike from the States or Canada costs him £20;
he flnds a working season of only one hundred and twenty days in the year; and
unless he is lucky enough to get work in the winter at woodcutting or in one of the
claims where they do underground work by tliawing the gravel, he will have to
return to the south or exhaust his saving" while staying idle.
Fuel for feeding boilers costs nearly £3 a cord. To land machinery or supplies by
the White Pass and Yukon route costs £25 jier ton for freight alone, and all miscel-
laneous items are in proportion.
No ordinary alluvial ground could stand this expense, or even half of it. But the
Klondike reefs are exceptionally rich, and there are many claims, especially on Eldo-
rado and Bonanza creeks, where the expenses did not amount to nearly as much as
the gold produced.
Of course alluvial gold is always irregular in its occurrence. Thus, some of the
creeks are rich nearly all the way down, but on others a really rich claim was the
exception. The richest ground was worked first. 8ome of the best claims are now
worked out, and it is safe to say that by the autumn of 1903 practically all the rich
ground will be finished. Klondyke reached its zenith last year. In that season
gold to the value of 3122,000,000 was put out; this year the yield dropped 'to about
$16,000,000, and from now onward there will be a sure decline.
But this does not mean the early extinction of the Klondyke field As yet only
the richest ground, a mere fraction of the total gravel area, has been worked. The
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
251
future, aa iu all gold fields, lies with the great bodies of low-grade luaterial. This
low-grade gravel at Kloudyke would he ricli anywhere else, hut here conditions are
such that costs can never be otherwise than high, and relatively the gravel hcc-oines
low grade. The serious problem for the future is the want of water, d'he big
masses of low-grade gravel, lx)th on the benches and in the creeks, must in future
be treated on a big scaie, and the only way to do that is by hydraulic sluicing. But
there is no Avater for this. It will have to be pumped up riundreds of feet from the
Klondyke River, and the cost of a plant, the consumption of fuel, and the wear and
tear will mean a heavy and continued expense.
Who can undertake this? Not the individual claim owner now taking out the
rich j>atches of his ground; not the small syiulicate, which in the future will amal-
gamate a series of adjoining claims ; not even a coin2)any run in the way that Lon-
don-floated Klondyke companies have been run. It is a scheme more for the Gov-
ernment than for any individual.
The future of Klondyke means the handling of lower grade gravel than in the
past, and militating chietly against this is the lack of water. A good deal of the yet
unworked ground can be worked by the ojien-cut system for four months in the
year, but the old method of winter work — that is, sinking small shafts into the
frozen gravel and throwing out the lower foot or two — must soon come to an end.
The day of the individual is nearly over. Blocks of adjoining claims must be amal-
gamated and worked systematically, taking the whole of the ground as it comes.
Hitherto the individual has picked the rich portions out of his claims, but in future
a more moderate yield over a bigger quantity of material handled is all that can be
exj^ected.
NOVA SCOTIA.
According to the Report of the Department of Mines of Nova Scotia
(pp. 74, 75, 85, 87) for the }^ear ending September 30, 1900, the total
yield of gold in that j^ear was 30,400 ounces, and the total from 1862
to 1900,717,881 ounces, which, valued at $19 per ounce, was worth
$13,639,749.
The total exports of gold bullion and bars from Nova Scotia during
the same period were as follows:
Port:
Truro $13,055
Halifax 196,695
Windsor 3, 210
Total 212,960
The value of the gold product of Nova Scotia for the same year, at
the rate of $19 per ounce, as above, amounted to $577,600, which leaves
an amount worth $364,640 unaccounted for during that year.
Dr. Edwin Gilpin, jr. , chief inspector of mines of Nova Scotia, in his
latest report, The Minerals of Nova Scotia (Halifax, 1901), furnishes
very interesting data on the economies of gold mining in the colony.
The figures are from the Richardson mine, and are thought to be “ of
particular interest, as they have materiall}^ added to the proof that
deposits can be profitably mined and worked which a few 3^ears ago
were considered beneath the miner’s notice.” The cost and profits, as
reported by the secretary of the company for 1897, were as follows:
FORTY-STAMP MILL.
Total tons crushed
Total gold won
Product per ton
Cost per ton:
Labor
All charges, including renewals to machinery
tons.. 25,300
ounces.. 2,879
2 jiennyweights 6| grains
$1. 15 J
1.83J
252
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
Cost of working and all expenses in connection with the Richardson mine, Isaacs
Harbor, Nova Scotia, for month of May, 1898, embracing everything except insur-
' ' *// / QJ CD X.
ance and wear and tear of machinery;
Wages —
14 drill men $475. 25
23 rock men 615. 90
4 deck hands 102. 00
5 quarrymen 163. 40
2 engine drivers at pit 83. 70
2 timber men 66. 70
2 brakemen at pit head 61. 80
2 trolleymen at pit head 59. 85
1 foreman 48.00
1 night foreman 39.00
2 blacksmiths 96. 20
2 teamsters 78. 15
1 chief engineer 55. 00
1 amalgamator 51. 00
2 engine drivers at mill 78. 50
2 carpenters 68. 40
8 mill hands 219. 90
Management 100. 00
Total 2, 462. 75
Other expenses —
140 tons coal 182. 00
19 boxes candles (570 pounds) 171. 00
Half jar quicksilver (37^ pounds) 20. 62
Oil 10.00
Wear of shoes and dies 50. 00
Cams and tappets 50. 00
Waste 5. 00
Timber 10. 00
Shovels, picks, drills, and handles 15.00
Dynamite, fuse, and caps 111.57
Horse feed 60. 00
Royalty 101.80
Miscellaneous 25.00
Total 811.99
Dr. Gilpin further quotes from a paper read l)j Mr. W. L. Lildie}’'
at a late meeting of the Nova Scotia Mining Society on the comparative
cost of hand and machine drilling:
The extreme depth perpendicularly of tlie working of the mine is 450 feet. The
figures given include the cost of sinking and drifting, and also in the first table is
covered the cost of excavating a large chamber to hold a double-plunger Northey
])ump and a cistern capable of holding mine water for twelve hours.
During six months from May 1, 1897, to November 1, 1897, 5,606 tons of ore were
sent to the mill at an average cost of $2.54 per ton, as follows, for ore landed at the
rock breaker:
Labor (which includes blacksmiths and deck men) $11, 173. 99
Timber and poles 392.40
Shovels 35. 20
I’icks 20. 60
Rlacksmith’s coal, 6 tons, at $10.66 per ton 63. 96
Charcoal, 300 bushels, at 15 cents per bushel 45. 00
Axes 5.00
Hoisting roi>es (estimated) 50. 00
Candles 364. 29
Tvoss of steel 71.82
Fuel at pumping station and mill 1, 046. 00
Explosives 654, 75
Iron, including rails for tracks 126. 70
Miscellaneous expenses 125.00
Lumber 45. 00
Total 14,219.91
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
258
Following iire the figuren for tliree months of Avork with the air j)lant. It should
be borne in mind that not only have green men been broken in, but the method of
stoping is being gradually changed from breast stoping to back stoping. The results
are especially gratifying to the Brookfield Mining Com{)any, as many old timers have
flatly stated that a small lead could not l)e worked as cheaply by an air plant as by
hand labor, and in one instance recently an air plant has been discontinued and a
return made to hand drilling. The months taken are January, February, and March,
1898, during which time 2,840 tons were sent to the mill at an average cost of $2.44
per ton, as follows, for ore landed at the rock breaker:
Labor (which includes blacksmiths and deck men) $5,078.95
Timber and poles 198. 80
Shovels 10. 00
Picks 2. 00
Blacksmith’s coal, 4^ tons at $10.66 47. 97
Charcoal, 150 bushels at 15 cents 22. 50
Hoisting ropes 25. 00
Candles 171.00
Loss of steel 11. 25
Fuel at pumping station and mill 717. 00
Explosives 512. 50
Iron, including rails for tracks 43. 45
Miscellaneous expenses 75.00
Lumber 25. 00
Total 6, 940. 42
The result thus far is apparently to place our ore at the deck head 10 cents per ton
cheaper with an air plant than by hand work. We are, however, doing more than
25 per cent more of sinking and drifting with the air plant than formerly by hand. In
fact, it would be impossible to place men enough in the mine to equal by hand the
work iiow done by power.
Following is a table showing the expense of running the 20-stamp mill for six
months, commencing September 1, 1897, and ending February 1, 1898. During this
time 5,910 tons of ore were milled and concentrated at an average cost of 60 cents:
Fuel $876.00
Labor:
2 firemen 360. 00
3 amalgamators 900.00
2 concentrator boys 252. 00
1 carpenter 242. 65
1 engineer 300. 00
Miscellaneous expenses, including lubricants 75.00
Cost total for shoes and dies 397. 53
Mercury lost, 79j pounds at 60 cents 47. 55
Screen wire, 192 feet at 50 cents 96. 00
Total 3,546.73
Brief extracts are given from a paper which was read by Mr. C. F.
Andrews at the Montreal meeting of the Canadian Mining Society in
1897 on the subject of economies in mining.
At the Richardson mine, Stormont, the lead has been found to be from 6 to 18
feet wide. In 1894 the mill contained 20 stamps, and the cost of mining and mill-
ing was $2.90 per ton, inclusive of taxes, insurance, depreciation, and all charges.
The belt was composed for the most part of one large lode from 1 to 4 feet in thick-
ness and a varying number of small lodes intermixed with slate. In places nearly
the entire belt is quartz. The slate is auriferous as well as the quartz. Shortly after
that date the mine was remodeled in every respect, so that 9 hand drills could
produce regularly 2,000 tons of ore per month. The mill was enlarged to 40 stamps
of 850 pounds weight each, dropping 99 times per minute and crushing very finely.
With this plant, lighted by electricity and driven by a central engine, the cost of
mining and milling, including all charges, was $1.65 per ton. The belt is very
heavily mineralized, and the concentrates show gold up to 5 ounces per ton.
254
PKECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
ONTARIO.
[From the Report of the Bureau of Mines of Ontario, 1901.]
The output of gold tiiul silver for 1900 as reported to the Bureau is shown in thetalile
given below :
Metal.
Quantity.
Value.
Gold
Ounces.
18, 767
160, 612
?297, 861
96, .367
Silver
The following table gives a comparison of the values of gold and silver products
in 1898, 1899, and 1900 :
Metal.
1898.
1899.
1900.
Gold
$275,078
51, 960
$124,568
65,575
$297, 861
96, 367
Silver
STATISTICS AND THEIR COLLECTION.
A word may be said here as to the collection of statistics. On the whole, the
miners and producers of minerals make prompt and satisfactory returns of their out-
put, as they are required by law to do, both for the several quarters of the year and
for the twelve months ending December 31. Occasionally, however, the informa-
tion is delayed, or grudgingly given, or furnished only in part; and it is therefore
difficult to publish the returns for the (juarter or year as promptly after the con-
clusion thereof as is desirable. In a few instances the figures of output and value
received are viewed with misgivings founded on other sources of information, yet no
recourse is open but to accept them, since they are certified as correid and are sup-
plied by those who are in a position to know the facts, namely, the producers them-
selves. Now, no argument is needed at this day to prove the value of statistics.
They are to any industry what the physician’s thermometer is to his patient or the
barometer to tlie weather. By their rise or fall, the increases, decreases, or changes
which they chronicle, they reveal the state of the industry to which they relate and
indicate what, if any, steps are necessary in order to stimulate growth or arrest decay.
But to serve their purpose statistics must be at least a[)proxiniately correct. Deal-
ing with the aggregate of the mineral production of the Province, there is no reason
to doubt that the statistics pulilished annually by the Bureau answer this description.
Certainly no effort is spared to achieve complete accuracy, and if there is any failure
it is chargeable not to want of diligence in attempting to obtain the facts, but to
neglect on the part of owners of mines or works or disinclination to impart the
truth, due either to the fear that business interests would be injured by making cor-
rect returns or to some other similar motive. Such a policy is at best a short-
sighted one and apt to lead to its own defeat; and it is gratifying to be able to state
that it does not obtain to any extent in the mining industry of the Province.
It has sometimes been urged that returns of production should be published from
individual mines and works, and it has been alleged that the adoption of such a
course Avould tend to the investment of capital in mining enterprises by furnishing
the details for which iiivestors naturally look. Another reason advanced is that it
would afford a measure of protection to the shareholders of any mining company
whose management might be inclined to withhold information or misrepresent the
facts.
It is no doubt true that detailed statistics showing, for instance, number of tons of
ore treated, yield of metal or other product, value of same, expense of working, etc.,
published monthly or (piarterly, would be of interest and value if the figures covered
a considerable number of steadily producing mines of the same kind — say of gold.
But at the present stage of the industry in Ontario, when steady production of bul-
lion is not the rule among the gold mines, even those equipped with stamp mills,
and wliere a great deal of the work done is of a prospecting and experimental char-
acter, publication of such jiarticulars would be of little service to investors, and
might even lead to erroneous imi)ressions as to the value of particular properties.
When a considerable number of mines are yielding their quota of gold day in and
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
255
day oat the year round and the industry lias entablished itself on a permanent and
satisfactory l)asis, detaile<l statistics of individual properties will cover a field lar^je
enough and a variety of circumstances great enough to possess real worth as a guide
for the prospective investor, and there will then be much less difficulty in })rocuring
them than there would he now. As to safeguarding the interests of shareholdei’s or
the iniblic who buy mining stocks, still confining the case to gold mines, it may be
said that the four mines now regularly turning out gold are all wo)'ked by English
capital and that none of their stock is for sale on the Canadian market.
One word more, as to the method of valuing the products of mines or works. The
basis is adhered to which has been used from the beginning, namely, the selling
value at the mine or works.
GOLD AND SILVER.
The yield of gold in 1900 was 18,767 ounces, valued at |297,861, as compared with
27,594 ounces, w'orth $424,568, in 1899. Bullion was produced on 18 properties as
against 15 last year. Statistics of gold mining for the last five years are given in the
following tiible :
Schedule.
1896.
1897.
1898.
1899.
1900.
Mines worked number..
Men above ground do
Men under ground do
Ore treated tons..
Gold product ounces. .
Gold value
8
103
86
13, 292
7,154
»121,848
191,210
9
222
216
27, 589
11,412
$150, 244
$217, 766
17
296
284
57, 895
16, 261
$275,078
$290, 919
15
307
356
59, 615
27, 594
$424, 568
$324,024
18
412
338
46, 618
>8, 767
$297,861
$350,694
W'ages paid for labor
The immediate cause of tlie diminution in the output of bullion was the stoppage
of several producing mines in western Ontario, notal)ly the Golden Star and Olive,
wffiose mills ran for only a portion of the year. The western gold fields have no
doubt lieen the scene of much mismanagement and waste of money in ill-directed
efforts at mining, and it can not be denied that among the companies which have
been formed there are those which have devoted more of their energies to the sale
of stock than to the work of sinking on their veins. Some have spent their funds in
attempts to find paying ore in barren country rock; some on promising locations
have reached the end of their money in the early stages of development and have
been obliged to stop with an unproven and unsalable mine on their hands because
unable to obtain more cajiital with which to go on, Avhile others liave committed the
evergreen blunder of putting up expensive mills and plants before demonstrating the
continuity and richness of their deposits. The gold ores of western Ontario are not
high in grade, but for the most part they are free milling, and the veins are of good
size. There is abundance of wood, water, and good labor; and mining, when con-
ducted with skill and prudence, can reasonably look for an abundant reward.
The falling off in gold produced W'as to some extent made up by the increased out-
put of silver, of which 160,612 ounces, worth $96,367, were produced in 1900, com-
pared with 105,467 ounces, valued at $65,575, in 1899. The silver-mining statistics
for the last three years are given in the following table, showing a constant and some-
what rapid increase since the revival of this branch of mining in 1898:
Schedule.
1898.
1899.
1900.
Ore raised tons..
Ore stamped do
Bullion product ounces..
Value of bullion
6,600
5,600
86, 600
$51, 960
$28, 430
32
27
8,000
8,000
105, 467
$65,575
$29,000
23
17
12,500
8,000
160,612
$96,367
$24,000
20
30
Wages paid for labor
Average workmen above ground number. .
Average workmen below ground do
CENTRAL AMERICAN STATES.
The United States consul at Nicaragua has forwarded through Min-
ister Merry, at Costa Rica, the figures showing the production of gold
in Nicaragua during 1900, which he states was 69,475 kilograms, but
does not state the value nor the fineness of the kilograms.
256
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
Minister Merry, of Costa liica, gives the i)rodiietioii of gold in Costa
Rica for 1900 at $151,171:.
in the absence of dehnite information this Bureau will have to pur-
sue the course followed in the past, which is to accept the exports from
the Central American States as their product.
The imports of gold and silver (ore and bullion) into the United
States from the Central American States during 1900 was: Gold,
$500,000, equivTilent to 21,188 ounces, or 752 kilograms, line; silver,
$611,538 (commercial value).
The annual statement of the trade of the United Kingdom with
foreign countries contains an item, “Metals and ores,” for Honduras
only, giving the value of silver ore imported to the United Kingdom
from that country, viz: In 1898, £2,615; in 1899, £1,250; in 1900,
£2,815. The item is not separately stated for any other of the Cen-
tral American States, which means cither that there were no imports
of that description, or that they were not of sufficient amount to be
separately stated and were included under “All other articles.” No
imports of gold or silver bullion were stated as coming from Central
America.
The German customs statistics of the German Empire show the fol-
lowing imports for 1897, 1898, and 1899:
Classification ami country from which imported.
Value.
1897.
1898.
1899.
Costa Rica:
Gold
MarkH.
8,000
17,000
1,000
3,000
590, tXK)
Marks.
Marks.
Guatemala:
Gold
Silver
Honduras, Nicaragua, and Salvador:
Gold
17.000
46.000
8,000
Gold ore
Silver
6,000
Silver ore
1,000
No lead or lead ores were imported to Germany from Central America.
The French and Belgian customs statistics contain no separate state-
ment of imports of the precious metals or gold and silver ores from
Central America, which shows that there were none, or that the amounts
were too insignificant to be separately stated.
The imports of foreign silver ores to Italy from all countries are
very insignificant. (See article on Italy.) The imports from Central
America, if any, are a negligible quantity. Spanish customs statistics
for 1899 show no imports of gold or silver bullion or ores from Cen-
tnil America. This exhausts the list of countries importing silver for
rehning.
The figures of imports from Central America to the United States
and European countries are evidently below those of the exports from
C7*ntral America, as appears from the report of the German Imperial
consul at Honduras, who gives the exports for the year 1899, from
Honduras alone, at 2,887,000 marks ($687,106 commercial value) for
silvc*r liars, and 30,000 marks ($7,110) for gold and silver ores.
(Deutsches Handela-Archiv, February, 1901, p. 139.)
With this (pialification, the following table is made from the import
(iuLires stated above:
rUECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
257
GOLD.
Country to wliieli exported.
1898.
1899.
1900.
United States
S-173, 710
8584, 2 15
8500, 000
Great Britain
Germany
11, 991
1,901
Total
•188, 731
586, 119
500,000
SILVER (COMMERCIAL VALUE).
United States
8-109, 573
12, 872
238
8539, 791
6, 083
1,428
8611,538
13, 699
Great Britain
Germany
Total .
422, 683
547, 302
628,237
The aliovc value of gold for 1898 representis 23,6-42 ounces, or 735
kilograms, line; for 1899, 28,355 ounces, or 881 kilograms, line, and
for 1900, 2-4,188 ounces, or 752 kilograms, line. The commercial value
of the silver represents, for 1898, 716, -412 ounces, or 22,288 kilograms,
line, of a coining value of $926,270; for 1899, 912,170 ounces, or
28,377 kilograms, line, of a coining value of $1,179,371, and for 1900,
1,013,285 ounces, or 31,523 kilograms, line, of a coining value of
$1,310,106.
CHILE.
No official information has lieen received by this Bureau relative to
the producton of gold and silver in 1899 and 1900.
The table for the gold production, given below, is reproduced from
the Revista Comercial c Industrial de Minas (June 15, 1901, pp. 151-
152), a leading mining journal published at Santiago dc Chile. The
annual production is computed from the official figures relating to
exports and coinage:
Production of Gold in 1899 and 1900.
I
l)eserii)tiou.
1899.
1900.
Fine
weight.
Value.
Fine
weight.
Value.
Exports :
Gold bars
Gravis.
1,625,000
1,840
£. s. d.
Grams.
2, 120, 403
2, 680
£. s. d.
Gold ore (fine contents)
Total exports
Purchased by the mint
Grand total
1,626,840
327, 092
234,264 16 9?
44,648 2 10
2, 123, 083
325, 921
305,725 11 01
44, 488 5 81
U, 953, 932
278,912 19 7f
12, 449, 004
350,213 15 9
1 Thi.s fine weight for 1899 gives a value of SI, 298, 583, representing 62,819 ounces, fine ; and for 1900,
a value of 81,627,608, corresponding to 78,735 ounces, fine.
The figures for the silver production are taken from the quarterly
publication of the National Society of Mining Engineers of Chile.
According to that source (Bolctin de la Sociedad Nacional de Mineria,
June-August, 1901, p. 185), the silver production of Chile in 1899 was
129,502.835 kilograms, valued at 33.55 pesos (of 38d.) per kilogram.
Taking the weight as fine, the coining value would be $5,382,100, cor-
responding to 4,162,718 ounces, fine.
12066— 01 17
258
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
There is no infoniuition available for the silv^er produetion of 1900,
whieh is therefore assimied to be equal to that of the preceding year.
CHINA.
China prepares no official figures as to her produetion of the]3recious
metals. In last year’s report the export statistics pul)lished b}^ order
of the inspector-general of customs were taken as a foundation for an
estimate of the gold production.
The imports of gold bullion from China into Germany for 1900 was,
according to the information received fi’om Mr. A. Sauerbeck, -1,553
kilograms, fine, representing a value of $3,025,921, which is an increase
of $1,199,603 over similar imports for 1899.
■ Mr. F. E. Taylor, statistical secretary to the inspector-general of
customs at Shanghai, says, in his report on the foreign trade of China
for the 3’^car 1900;
The recorded movements of gold and silver bullion between China and foreign
countries show a net import of gold worth 1,202,315 haikwan taels and a net im])ort
of silver to the value of 15,442,212 haikwan taels. These figures represent only such
movements of bullion as came under the notice of the customs and must not be taken
as even approximately correct as regards imports. There was an enormous import
of silver in the shape of British, French, and Mexican dollars, brought by the mili-
tary authorities.
The export of gold, coming jnlncipally from INIanchuria, was checked by the war.
On the other hand, large quantities of gold coins, chiefly from Japan, were im])orted
by the banks for sale to Chinese, who bought them freely, as conveniently portable
during a period of suspense.
For the reasons stated in these lines, the export statistics for 1900
offer no indication as to the gold production of the year. The figures
for 1899 are therefore repeated.
COLOMBIA.
No statistics of the precious metals are published in Colombia. Her
official statistics of imports and exports do not specify the precious
metals or ores. The production must therefore be ascertained from
the import statistics of the United States and other countries.
The following is a statement of the inmorts of gold and silver, exclu-
sive of coin, from Coloni])ia into the Uiiited States, compiled b}" the
Bureau of Statistics of the Treasury Department.
ImPOKTS FKOM CoLOiMlUA DUIUNG THE YEAR 1900.
J)eHcrii)tiun.
Weight.
Value.
Gold:
Bullion
Ounces.
13, 940
5287,187
Silver:
Bullion
189, 013
(?)
113, 420
15, 4tV)
Ore
Total
(?)
128,891
rKEClOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
259
'Pile IVritisli jinnual of the tnidc of the United Kino-doin witli forei^’ii
countries <•■i^’es the 1‘ollowing statistics of imports from Colombia to
the United Kinmlom:
Description.
Gold bullion ounces
Silver bullion do. .
Silver ore (value)
1S9S.
1S99.
I'JOO.
103, 119
81,907
17, 903
5, 151, lO.'j
3, 3 19, 5 10
1,771,370
.-CSG, 007
.il3, 010
£1,909
No gold ore was inqiorted into Great Uritain from Colombia.
Accordino* to the customs statistics of the German Empire, German}'^
imported no silver from Colomliia, Her imports of gold, crude and
in bars, from thtit country were \alued in 1898 at 125,000 marks,
and in 1899 at 212,000 marks.
France, ticcording to her olhcial customs statistics, imported from
Colombia, in 1899, 2,255 kilogTams of gold ore, valued at 33 francs
per kilogram; no silver was imported.
The customs statistics of Belgium tind Spain state no imports of the
precious metals or ores from Ckilomliia. The imports, if any, from
Colombia into Italy are a negligible quantity, in view of the insig-
niticant amount of foreign silver ores refined in the latter country.
This exhausts the list of silver-refining countries.
The foregoing figures are reduced to tine ounces and United States
values, and summarized in the following table:
Columbian E.xpokts.
Countries imi)()rliiig.
1898.
1899.
1900.
Gold :
United States
5109,210
1,959,711
29, 750
5170, 849
1, 008, 910
50,150
11, 302
5287, 187
907, 721
Great Britain
Germany
France
Total
2,158,071
1,811,577
1,194,908
Silver (coining value):
United States. . ..
5,210
7,081,811
90,182
1, 150, 950
208, 780
2,111,118
Great Britain
Total
7,090,000
1, 553, 132
2, 410, 234
Fink \Veigiit and Value of Colombian Exports.
GOLD.
Year.
Weight (fine).
Coining
value.
Kilograms.
Ounces.
1898 !
3,248
2, 775
1,798
101, 120
89, 231
57, 804
52, 158, 071
1, 844, 577
1, 194, 908
1899
1900
SILVER.
1898
1899
1900
170, 598
5, 483, 718
57, 090, 000
109, 550
3,521,503
4,553,132
57, 994
1,804,105
2,410,234
260
PKECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
EAST INDIES.
BIHTTSII.
NEW UUINEA.
This J^urcau has no information regarding’ the gold product of New
Guinea for 1900, and assumes that the product for 1900 was equal to
that of 1899— i. e., £1:1:, 185, or $215,026.
According to information received from Consul-General Campljcll,
at Singapore, the production of gold in the Federated Malay States
for 1900 was 17,210 ounces, which, at $38 (Mexican) per ounce, is val-
ued at $655,112 (Mexican).
The average value of the Mexican dollar during 1900 was $0,511,
which gives a value to the above product, in United States currency,
of $356,397. The total product of British East Indies is $571,123, cor-
responding to 27,613 ounces, or 860 kilograms, line.
The gold production of New Guinea, according to the Statistical
Register of Western Australia for 1899 (pp. 17, 18) was as follows:
Year.
(iiuiutity.
Value.
1890
Ounces.
3, 470
2,426
1,235
592
,£12, 440
1891
8; 371
4,322
2, 230
3, 906
2, 565
1892
1893
1894
1,128
728
1895
Year.
Quantity.
Value.
1896
Ounces.
1,373
7,148
6, 830
12, 012
£4, 735
25, 018
23, 905
44, 185
1897
1898
1899 a
Total
36, 942
131, 683
a For the year ended June 30, 1000. The pnjdmd for the calendar year is assumed to be equal to
that for the fiscal year.
DUTCH.
Minister Newel, at The Hague, Netherlands, reports that the prod-
uct of the precious metals in the Dutch East Indies during 1900
was — gold, 659 kilograms, valued at 1,082,000 Horins, or $131,961,
representing 21,011 ounces, or 651 kilograms, line ; silver, 2,661 kilo-
grams, valued at 121,100 Horins, or $50,008, commercial value, repre-
senting 80,659 ounces, or 2,509 kilograms, fine, with a coining value
of $101,286.
[From Jaareiflers voor hot Koninkrijk der Nederlanden Kolonien, 1890 pj). 19,130.]
1. 150KNFO.
PuomUTION OF GoiU).
Year;
1890
1891
1892
1893
1894
KiloKrams.
Year:
Kilograms.
: 62
1895 . . . . . .
111
94
1896
96
98
1897
98
•- 136
1898
119
112
1899
103
2. SUMATRA.
Tlie production of the precious metals at Palembang iu 1899 was as follows: Gold,
10 kilograms; silver, 58 kilograms.
PRECIOUS METALS IN 'PlIE UNITED STATES.
201
f^ELEBES.
The production of fjold ore at Menado was as follows:
Year:
189()
1897
Kilograms.
. 140,088
. 247,500
1898
1899
Kilograms
. 122,000
. 280,000
AMERICAN.
OOBD IN THE IMIIIJCPTNES.
By F. F. ITilder, Bureau of American Ethnology.
[From The National Geographic, Magazine, Vol. XI, December, 1900.]
In an article which I wrote for the National Geographic Magazine in 1891,
(National Geographic Magazine, Vol. IX, No. 6, June, 1898) I referred to the exist-
ence of gold in the Philippine Islands in the following terms:
“Gold has been found in several of the provinces; but chiefly in the more moun-
tainous and inaccessible localities, many of which are occupied by independent
tribes that have never submitted to Spanish rule; but that the auriferous formations
extend over a wide area in the island of Luzon is proved by the fact that in the allu-
vial deposits of every stream on the Pacific side some color of gold can be found.
“The islands of Mindanao and Mindora are also equally promising fields for pros-
pectors of gold. In many places the natives have extracted considerable quantities
of gold dust by washing the alluvial deposits ; in others gold-bearing rock is broken
by them with hammers and ground in rude mills, such crude methods, of course,
producing but poor results.”
During the present year I have again visited the Philippines; and, although exist-
ing conditions were such that I could not personally visit the gold-bearing districts,
I was enabled to obtain considerable information \fith respect to them from sources
which I consider to be thoroughly reliable, and have inspected a number of samples
of gold obtained from different localities. In the island of Luzon there are few prov-
inces in which gold does not exist, in greater or less quantity, in veins and ledges in
the mountains or in the river sands and alluvial de]iosits.
One of the best known auriferous districts is tliat of Paracale, in the province of
Camarines Norte, on the eastern coast of Luzon, where, in the spurs of the mountains
many veins and outcroppings of gold-bearing rock have been uncovered, particularly
at Pinagalatinan, Imbongimbong, and Lugos, near Labo. In tlie former places the
gold is in comliination with iron pyrites, with a trace of copper, blende, galena, and
Jiromate of lead in orange-colored crystals. In Labo the streaks or veins are gray
in color, containing gold, blende, iron pyrites, and sometimes, although seldom,
native copper. The general direction of these strata is from nortli to south, except
in Gumihan and Lugos mountains, in which the trend is to the northwest. The
width of the veins is from 1 to 5 inches up to 26 to 36 indies. Foreman mentions
this district as follows (The Philippine Islands, l>y John Foreman, New York, 1899,
p. 380):
“In the time of Pedro Manuel Arandia (1754-1759) a certain Francisco Estorgo
obtained license to work these Paracale mines, and five veins are said to have been
struck. The first was in the Lipa IMountain, where the mine was called ‘ San Nicolas
de Tolentino; ’ the second, in the Doliojan Mountain, was called ‘Nuestra Senora de
a Soledad de Puerta Yaga;’ the third, in Lipara, was named ‘Mina de las Animas;’
the fourth, in the territory of San Antonio, took the name of ‘San Francisco,’ and
the fifth, in the Minapa Mountains, was named ‘Nuestra Senora de los Dolores,’ all
in the district of Paracale near the village of Mambulao.”
He also says (o]>. cit., p. 381):
“Estorgo’s neighbors, instigated by native legal pettifoggers in Manila, raised end-
less lawsuits against him; his means were exhausted aiul apparatus was wanted to
work the mines, so he abandoned them.”
These mines are at present operated by the natives, but in such a rudimentary
and desultory manner that only a small portion of the gold is saved. The workings
are seldom carried to. a greater depth than 3 or 4 meters, but it is a fact which
promises l.ietter results, whenever more scientific and practical methods may be
brought to l)ear on them, that the oi’e always becomes richer as the depth is increased;
but in all the hundreds of years during which these deposits have been known it is
safe to say that their true value has never been tested. The natives carry the ore to
the surface in baskets, and when water is struck they bale it out with buckets, either
2G2
PRECIOTTS METALS IN THE UNTTET) STATES.
pulling them up with a rope or carrying them up a bamboo ladder. The gold-bear-
ing rock is emptied from the baskets into a concavity in a rock or large stone, Avhich
serves as a mortar. The pestle or stamp consists of a stone about 25 pounds in
weight, which is tied with a strip of bejnco to the end of a slender p<de, Avhich is
rested obliquely against the fork of a tree. The laborer, taking advantage of the
elasticity of the pole, uses it like a tri]) hammer and crushes the rock. The broken
rock is then pulverized in a rude mill, consisting of a rough stone roller, Avhich is
revolved in a circular base by means of buffaloes.
The pulverized material is then washed, generally by women, until there remains
only a dark sediment, which is afterwards smelted by placing it in a shell, covering
it with charcoal, and using a small piece of bamboo as a blowpipe.
A sample of the metal obtained by this imperfect ])rocess gave the following
analysis:
Per cent.
Gold 77. 94
Silver 19
Iron .05
Silica 5
Loss .01
100
01 course, the quantity of gold obtained is a very small fraction of that cari-ied
by the ore, and, as the gold is bartered to Chinese j)eddlers and ambulant traders,
the producers get but small return for their labor and are miserably jx>or. The
ground between the mountains and the coast is mostly alluvial, and the village of
Mambulao in this district has long been noted for the ])lacer washings in its vicinity.
In the adjoining province of Tayabas gold has also been found in the hills or
mountains around the town of Altimonan; also in many of the spurs of the Cai'aballo
Mountains, in alluvial dei>osits in the Ga])an country, and in the sands of the rivers
Ango and Angalacan, in the province of Nueva Jk'ija, and in many places in the
Caraballo de Baler country, between that })rovince and that of Nueva Viscaya. On
the island of Bolillo, lying off the east coast, it has also been obtained from the
shores of the river of the same name. In the north of the ])roA'ince of Cagayan it
has been found in the districts around the town of I'amplona; in the townshij)s of
Lanag and Bangui, iii the jwovince of J locos Norte; in the sands of the river Abra,
which discharges near the town of Vigan, on the coast of I locos Sur. It has also been
found in many ])lacesin the country inhabited by the Igorrotes and Igorrote-Chinese,
in the district of Benguet, particularly near the villages of Gatapa, Bagnio, Capunga,
Lutal, Automac, and Bangotcotan, near the latter of which some mines were worked
by Mexicans during the last century; in the township of Batincoquin, in the north
of Zambales Province; in the rivers near the towns of Santa Maria and San Jose, of
Bulacan; in the Tierras de Caramoan, in the province of Camarines Sur; in the
townshij) of Ligao, in Albay; in the rivers of Jyanating and Caygui’an, in the ]>rov-
ince of Morong, and in the ravines and creeks of Macaburaboc and (Amandag,
near tlie town of Montall)an, in the ]>rovince of Manila. It will thus be seen that
gold is widely distributed throughout the island of Luzon. I low many of these depos-
its will jirove to be rich enough to ]>ay for systematic Avork and the introduction of
machinery remains a ])roblem Avhich the future must sohm, but I know that the
owners of some of them are sanguine of securing good results Avhenever the. couutry
may be pacified and ca{»ital aial labor shall he ])rotected under American control.
In the great southern island of Mindanao gold has been found in many ]>laces,
princijially on the northern and ea.stern coasts, Avhere its production has been entirely
in the hands of the natives. What may exist in the- interior is ])roblematic, as the
greater part of the island is unex])lored. In the district of IMisamis, in the north-
Avest, there exist many alluvial diggings in the country between the Cagayan and
Iligan rivers. The i)rinci])al ]>lacers are ]iear the towns of Initao and Iponan, Avhere
nuggets have been found Aveighing as much as 1 to 2 ounces. In the neighborhood
of Pigholugan, near Cagayan, small veins of auriferous quartz exist, froiuAvliich, even
by the criule native methods, considcu’able quantities of gold have been taken.
The gold-bearing district of Surigao may be considered as an eastern continuation
of that of Cagayan de Misamis, and is of more importance, including the greater j)art
of the district of the Cauimon, Binutong, and the Canmarhat Mountain, and the
plains of Caningay. There are also dej)osits in IMagong-Duangan and Danas, in the
townshi]) of Caganan; placers in tlu^ toAvnship of Tibabaugan, near JMaquit, on the
edge of Lake Sapongan; in the Tubay RiAau’, Avhich discharges into the Bay of
Butuan; also about four days’ journey from the mouth of the Butuan KiA’er, near the
villages of Lines, Finon, and Sulibas. In the veins and outcroppings in this district
PKECIOITS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
2()3
the gold is found mingled 'with pyi-ites of iron and co])per, galena, and hlende. I
have seen a report in which it was stated that in a ledge near Caniinon there had
been found ore so rich that as liigh as 100 ounces of gold had been obtained from 75
feet of the vein.
The productiveness of this Surigao district has been known for centin-ies, hut for
many reasons the extraction of gold has remained in the hands of the natives. Fore-
man says (op. cit., p. 382):
“uV. friend of mine, a French merchant in Manila, told me in 1880 that for a long
time he received monthly remittances of 4^ to 5.} pounds of alluvial gold from the
Surigao coast, extracted l)y the natives on their own account. In the same district
a Spaniard attempted to organize labor for gold, washing on systematic i)rinciples,
but he met with such opposition from the friars who influenced the natives that he
could only have continued his project at the risk of his life, so he gave it up.”
Sir John Bowring also mentions the Mindanao gold production (The Philippine
Islands, by Sir John Bowring, London, 1859, p. 279):
“Gold dust is the instrument of exchange in the interior of Mindanao, and is
carried about in bags for the ordinary purposes of life.”
While I was in Manila in April last (1900) Mr. G. E. St. Clair, a mining engineer
and expert of considerable experience, returned from a trip to the southern islands.
He saitl that from the result of bis investigation he regarded the island of iMindanao
as one of the richest countries he has ever visited, considered from a mineral
standpoint.
Gold has also been found in the island of Panay. The most notable locations are
those in the vicinity of Astorga, in the township of Dumarao, in the beds of the
creeks known as Calaomin and Hinogo. In this neighborhood are found dioritic
rock containing numerous small veins of gold-bearing iron pyrities, rich enough to
pay for working. Deposits of gold exist in Binatusan and Lausam, below IMantubang,
also in the country between the junction of the rivers Manyon and Badliaran with
the river Panay. In the province of Iloilo the most noticeable gold deposits are those
in the Al)aca section of the townshij:) of San Curique, and those of the township of
Baratoc Viejo, in the northeast of the island, which are reported to be very rich.
This description includes the best known gold-bearing localities; but indications in
several other islands, such as Cebu, IMindoro, Masbate, Negros, Palawan, and other
smaller islands are such as to lead to the belief that the metal will be found in them
whenever they may be explored and prospected. The reasons why the gold deposits
in the Philippines have never been exploited or properly utilized are so many and
so varied that no adequate relation of them can be given within the limits of a maga-
zine article. Some of them are, however, summarized in the following extract from
Foreman’s book (op. cit., p. 384) :
“As a general rule, failure in most Philippine mining speculations, no doubt, was
due to the unwillingness of the natives to cooperate with European capitalists, and
in this they found encouragement from the friars, who were averse to innovation of
any kind. The native, too, in rural districts would not submit to constant organized
and methodical labor at a daily wage, to be paid periodically when he had finished
his work. The class of natives whom one had to employ in the neighborhood of the
mines was nomadic and half subjected, while there was no legislation whatever in
operation regulating the relations between workers and capitalists. Indeed, the lat-
ter were quite at the mercy of the former, whose indolence entirely overcame their
cupidity, so long as their immediate necessities were satisfied. * * * Again, the
wretched means of communication provided by the Spanish Government obliged tlie
few enterprising capitalists to spend their money on the construction of roads which
had already been paid for in taxes.”
It is to be hoped that after centuries of oppression, misrule, apathy, and neglect a
better and brighter day is dawning for these beautiful islands; when their abundant
stores of mineral and vegetal wealth will be developed and utilized; when both caju-
tal and labor will be encouraged and protected, not only in the interest of the former,
but to the immeasurable benefit and advancement of the people who will supply the
latter.
iUlNERALS OF THE PHILIPPINES.
[From The ;Mining and Scientific Press, San Francisco, May 18, 1901, p. 231.]
Prospectors have been coming to the islands from other countries as long ago as
forty years. The principal gold mines were found in the provinces of Camarines
Norte, and considerable metal was taken out.
In recent years gold has been found in Mindanao, and- at the present time there
are several mines operating there, some having modern machinery. The grasshop-
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
2()4
per eaters of Mindanao have for a long time been coming into the cities and towns
with little nuggets of gold which they traded for articles of food, wear, and general
supplies.
The mountain tribes of Cimeras and Negros have also found gold in places and
have managed to market some of it. The natives are very close about revealing the
whereabouts of the mines, for they appreciate the value of a mine, even though they
allow themselves to be cheated greatly when selling the product to others. Gold
has been taken out in paying quantities at Tagsulip, Cuena, Misamis, and on Panay
the soldiers have found gold in the mountains in the interior.
There will be little done, however, in gold mining until quartz-crushing machinery
is i)ut in. The natives, Spaniards, and Chinese have taken and worked much of the
surface or placer mines. There is, however, an opportunity for quartz mining, and
lodes can be secured in many sections of the archipelago containing paying quantities
of gold.
Ciuartz veins have been located in Mindanao, Luzon, Panay, Negros, and Cebu.
For a time the Spanish Government kept records of all mining enterprises, and a large
royalty of the gold mined had to be turned over to the King of Spain.
The former famous Mambulo mines produced at one time about 3,000 ounces of
gold monthly, the market price of which was about |20 an ounce. These old mines
were worked by the natives long before the Spaniards came. Ultimately they passed
into the hands of an English syndicate. The English failed to secure profitable
returns from their investment. They employed the wrong kind of labor. The
Spaniards, knowing the people of the islands, employed Chinese to operate the
mines ami made money. The English discharged the Chinese and put in natives,
who would work a few weeks and quit until they spent the money earned.
The native labor can be hired for 10 or 15 cents i)er day for mining work, but will
not work steadily. The Chinese can be secured at practically the same rates and
there are thousands of them available, but many foreign firms will not hire them.
The writer has seen mines in which the labor is all Chinese, with Chinese foremen
and white superintendents, and these mines are paying, while mines in which the
labor is all Filipino are usually the reverse. The individual native miners depend
npon finding pieces of the precious metal in the crevices in the mountains, and often
months are devoted to a search which will result in the finding of a small piece of
gold. One can not remain in any portion of the islands long without hearing min-
ing stories from natives and soldiers concerning the existence of placer deposits and
of streams the beds of wliich contain fine grains of gold. Tlie sands of these streams
when washe<l show color, oftentimes in paying quantities. Your correspondent has
witnessed the washing of stream sands, and on several occasions beach sand, with
the result that payable gold deposits have been located.
t^ILVEU MINES.
A number of Australians and some capitalists from Montana have been in the
islands prospecting for silver for several months. Tliey have located what they claim
to be paying claims on the island of Mindanao and are selling stock in Manila. It
is stated that these new mining concerns will operate on a large scale. They jiropose
to have the roads jmt in such shape that ore (;an be moved as desired. At present
mining is seriously hindered owing to bad roads and lack of machinery.
ECUADOR.
Minister Sampson, in liis eomnmnication to this Bureau dated March
14, 1901, says tliat he can not ^ive any hg-ures shoAving- the production
of g’old in Ecuador for 1900.
ddie Kevista Comercial, of Guayaquil, Ecuador, is quoted liy the
Montlily I)ull('tin of tlie Bureau of tlie American Kepuldics (May, 1901),
as authority for tlie statement that the exports of jrold from Ecuador
in 1900 amounted to ir>2 kilograms, of the value of 187,711 sucres.
Of this amount the United States imported, in 1900, a quantity valued
at J|i74,()29, which represents 8,610 ounces, or 112 kilograms line.
Taking the estimate of the Kevista Comercial, the gold product of
1900 would represent a United States value of $107,665, corresponding
to 5,208 ounces tine.
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
‘2()5
[From the “ Monthly Ihillctin of the Ihircan of the Amerieiui IlepiiblicH,” .Taiiimry, 1901.]
The mineral deposits of Ecuador have long attracted attention. Among the mines
in operation are gold mines in several provinces and one or two paying silver mines.
Despite ample deposits Ecuador jiroduces only about 250 kilograms of gold per year
for export. In March of 1000 large deposits of copper and silver Avere re})orted tts
discovered by European metallurgists in the in-ovince of Azuay at a distance of 35
miles from the coast and about 5,000 feet above sea level.
ETHIOPIA.
The Moniteiir des Intcrcts Materiels of September 9, 1900, reports
the incorporation on August 25, 1900, of a stock compaii}^, with head
quarters it Brussels, for the purpose of exploiting the gold mines
situated in the equatorial provinces of Abyssinia.
FINLAND.
The following information is compiled from the official reports on
mining and coinage for the }"ears 1897, 1898, and 1899, the last named
issued at Helsingfors in 1901 :
Pkoduction of Gold and Silvkk for the Last Ten Years.
Year.
Gold.
Silver.
AV eight.
Vrtliie.
AVeight.
Ahilue.
1890
Grams.
17, 860
8, 768
4,807
4,120
6,471
9, 926
7,115
4,593
4. 619
2. 620
Finnish
marks.
57, 152
Kiloqrams.
817. 63
Finnish
marks.
80,000
100,000
90. 000
88. 000
87. 000
45. 000
37.000
35. 000
48. 860
26. 000
1891
28,057
15, 382
13,184
1,038.32
920
1892
1893
888. 83
1894
20,607
31,765
877. 54
1895 i
450. 81
1896
22; 768
14, 697
14,780
8,384
375. 33
1897
381. 19
1898
455. 58
1899
244. 25
The gold is obtained from washings. There were only 72 men
engaged in the industry during the year 1899. The average length of
the gold- washing season for all the Avorks during the year Avas eight}^-
fi\"e days, and the total number of days worked, 1,913.
The annual reports furnish comparative data on the productiAut}' of
gold mining in Finland. The folloAving table is compiled at this
Bureau from the Finnish official reports for 1897, 1898, and 1899:
A’ ear.
Number
of days
worked.
Trod net ion.
Quantity.
Abilue.
1899
1,913
2,810
1,921
176, 929
Grams.
2, 620
4, 619
4, 593
420, 071
Finnish
711 arks.
8, 384
14, 780
14, 697
1, 348, 123
1898
1897
1870-1896
Total
183, 573
431, 903
1, 385, 984
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
20C)
Upon computation it appears that 1 gram i.s valued at 3.20 marks.
From the foregoing table we obtain the following:
Year.
Average product of
day’s work.
Quantity.
Value.
1899
Grams.
1.372
1.644
2. -392
2.377
Fhmisli
marks.
4.39
5. 26
7.65
7.62
1898
1897
1870-1896
Total
2.353
7.55
The output in 1899 was the smallest since 1870, when gold washing first commenced
in Finland. The average yield per day in 1898 and 1899 showed a decline as com-
pared with the average for the entire thirty-year period. Though the yield per day
in 1897 was the same as the average for the preceding twenty-seven years, yet the
total production was next to the minimum which had been known in former years,
viz, 4,120 grams in 1893, and nearly three times less than the average for the thirty-
year period, from 1870 to 1899, which amounted to 14,396.7 grams, valued at 46,199
marks. The greatest (luantities were obtained in 1871 and 1872, when the annual
output exceeded 55 kilograms. Since that time the production of gold has been
steadih'’ declining. — (From “Finland’s Ofliciela Statistik.” “ Bergshandtering. ”
Ar 1897, pp. II, i; Ar 1898, p. 1; Ar 1899, pp. VI, 1.)
From the above information it will be seen that the gold product of
Finland for 1898 was 4.619 kilograms, and for 1899, 2.62 kilograms.
This gives a value of fid,!)?!!, corresponding to 149 ounces line, for
1898, and ^1,741, representing 84 ounces tine, for 1899.
In the absence of any figures for 1900, the estimate for 1899 is
repeated.
The silver product is given at 456 kilograms for 1898, and 244 kilo-
grams for 1899. This gives a value of $18,951, representing 14,657
ounces line, for 1898, and $10,141, corresponding to 7,843 ounces line,
for 1899.-
The figures for 1899 are taken as the product for 1900.
FRANCE.
PRODUCTION OF THE I’RECTOUS METALS.
The dii'ector of the French mint says in his latest report;
France, considered without her colonies, has no gold mines, and silver is found
there only in combination with lead. It is only l>y adding to the refined product of
French argentiferous lead the metal extracted Iiy some refineries from imported
ores that the mineral statistics of the ministry of public works arrives for 1899 at a
production of 82,105 kilograms line. The treatment of certain imported ores yielded,
in the same year, 270 kilograms of fine gold.
The production of silver in France in 1899 is reported b}" Ambassa-
dor Porter to have been 14,500 kilograms line, of a commercial value
of 1,450,000 francs. The line weight represents a coining value of
$602,620, corresponding to 466,089 ounces line.
1‘RECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
2()7
GERMANY.
According’ to the answers received to this Bureau’s interrogatories
the product of the precious metals in (Termany fer 1900 was as follows;
Gold production of German relineries, 8,049.57 kilograms, line, val-
ued at 8,508,333 marks, of which —
Refined from — Kilograms.
Domestic ores 99. 29
Foreign ores 500. 93
Foi’eign and domestic sweepings 2, 449. 35
Total 3,049.57
Silver production of German refineries, 415, 735. 42
valued at 34,053,324 marks, of which
Refined from —
Domestic ores
Foreign ores
Foreign and domestic tailings and sweepings .
kilograms, tine.
Kilograms.
168, 349. 64
195, 697. 74
51,688. 04
Total -• - 415,735.42
As will be seen from the above, the actind yield of gold from the
German mines in 1900 was comparatively insignificant, having been
only 99.29 kilograms, or 3,192 ounces fine, corresponding to $65,988.
The amount of gold derived from foreign ores, imported, and smelted
and relined at the various Gorman refineries, having been credited to
the countries where the mines were situated, duly appears in the
statement of the world’s annual production of gold. The third item
yielded by the refineries and obtained from domestic and foreign by-
products, sweepings, and refuse, may have, in part, been olitained
from domestic auriferous silver ores, but it is impossible to state just
what portion was so obtained; and as the largest part of the gold
included under this head doubtless was derived from by-products,
refuse, and sweepings obtained from various industrial establishments,
no notice is taken of it in the estimate for the year.
Of the total amount of silver produced by the relineries in Germany
for 1900 oidv 168,349.64 kilograms were obtained from domestic
ores, and are consequently rightly to be credited to German3^ That
portion obtained from foreign ores has, in the proper place, been
included in the estimates of the various countries which produced it.
For the reason above stated the third item, obtained from domestic and
foreign b\"-products, sweepings, and refuse, has been disregarded in
the estimate of the world’s annual production.
From the foregoing the gold and silver products of German mines
for 1900 can l)e summarized as follows :
Metal.
Weight.
Value.
Kilograms,
fine.
Ounces,
fine.
Gold
99. 29
168, 349! 64
3,192'
5, 111, 441
J65, 988
*6,996,611
Silver
» United SUite.s coining value.
268
PKECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
PRODUCTION OF GOLD AND SILVER IN GERMANY.
[Compiled from Die Bergwerke, Salinen n. Hiitten in Deutschen Reich, 1899, pp. IV, 79, 8C, 103, 108. —
Translation.]
Silver is extracted in Germany from foreign ores more than from domestic ores,
and not so much from silver ores proper as from lead and copper ores, domestic as
well as imported, all of which contain silver.
Only a small portion of the gold product is extracted from gold ores, mostly
foreign; the greater part is extracted from tailings and sweepings, domestic as well
as imiiorted.
Weight and Value of the Production of Gold and Silver Refineries,
1890-1899.
1890 .
1891 .
1892 .
1893 .
1894 .
1895 .
1896 .
1897 .
1898.
1899.
Gold.
Silver
Kilograms,
fine.
Marks.
Kilograms,
fine.
Marks.
2,277
6,335,000
402, 257
56,060,000
2,427
6, 760, 000
443, 841
58, 877, 000
2,649
7,094,000
487, 964
57,075,000
2,547
7, 086, 000
448, 092
16,948,000
3,199
8, 916,000
442, 822
38,503,000
3,547
9, 877, 000
391, 979
34,403,000
2,487
6,916,000
428, 429
38, 872, 000
2, 781
7,737,000
448, 068
36,381,000
2,847
7, 913, 000
480,578
38, 157, 000
2, 605
7,259,000
467,590
37, 832, 000
GREAT BRITAIN.
Secretaiy White, of the United States leo’ation at London, reports
the j>’old product of Great Britain at 415 kilograms line, valued at
£56,752.
The British Mines and Quarries for 1900 gives the same figures for
gold, which is equal to 18,360 ounces, fine, of a value of $276,176, cor-
responding to 415 kilograms, fine.
From the same source the product of silver is given as follows:
From gold ore and argentiferous lead ore, 190,850 ounces, valued at
£22,465, and extracted from foreign cupreous iron pyrites, 309,486
ounces, valued at £36,429.
This would give a total value of $286,608, corresponding to 221,673
ounces, or 6,896 kilograms, fine, at which figures the product for 1900
is taken.
American Embassy,
London, November S7, 1900.
Sir: Referring to Mr. Choate’s letter of the 20th of February last, in connection
with the coinage of gold and silver in Great Britain, 1 am directed by the ambassa-
dor and have the honor to inclose herewith a copy of a report on the production of
gold and silver in this country during the year i 899, which has just been received
from Her Majesty’s secretary of state for foreign affairs, a cojiy of whose note to the
ambassador, covering the same, is also herewith inclosed.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
John Ridgelv Carter,
Second Secretar)j of Emhassnj.
Hon. George E. Roberts,
Director of the Mint, Department of the Treasury.
The Marquis of Lansdowne presents his conqiliments to Mr. Choate and, with ref-
erence to Lord Salisbury’s note of June 7 last, has the honor to forward the report
on the gold and silver iiroduction in Great Britain during the year 1899.
Foreign Office, November 26, 1900.
I’KECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
2G9
Home Office, Whitehall, November 16, 1900.
Sir: With reference to your letter of Feliruary 7 last, askinjjj that certain particulai-s
respecting the *;ol<l ami silver produced from mines in this country in 1899 might he
furnisheil for tlie use of the United States Government, 1 am directed hy the secre-
tary of state to acquaint you, for the information of the lords commissioners of Her
IMajesty’s treasury, that tlie weights and values of tine gold and line silver produced
from British mines in 1899 were as follows:
Metal.
Weight.
Value.
Fine pold
Kilograms.
88
£12, 102
23,721
5, 970
The value of the gold has been computed on the basis of £3 17s. lO^d. per standard
ounce, consisting of 11/12 of line metal and 1/12 alloy, and that of the silver on the
average price of silver in the London market as furnished to this department by the
royal mint, viz: 27x%d. per standard ounce, consisting of 37/40 tine metal and 3/40
alloy.
I am, etc,
Henry Cunyngiiame.
The Secretary of the Treasury.
GREECE.
According to the table in the following article the production of
silver in Greece in 1899 was 36,659 kilograms, and in the absence of
an}" information for 1900 the 1899 figures are repeated for that year.
This gives a product valued at $1,523,548, representing 1,178,369
ounces line.
Greece has no gold mines.
The Zeitschrift fiir das Berg- Hiitten-u. Salinen-Wesen (Vol. XLIX,
part 2, pp. 351-382), contains an exhaustive study of the mining indus-
try of Greece, by Mr. A. Cordelia, a prominent mining engineer at
Athens. The following is an abstract of his paper, in so far as it
relates to the production of the precious metals:
Gold occurs in insignificant quantities in argentiferous lead and in some of the iron
ores, but is not separated. Silver is found in all lead and copper ores, in quantities
ranging from 0.25 to 4 kilograms per ton of base metal.
The resumption of operations in the silver-lead mines of the ancient Laurium dates
back from the year IsM, when a French firm built a smelting establishment for the
purpose of utilizing old slags and washings which were lying heaped around the
ancient mines for many centuries. Considerable quantities of silver-bearing lead
have been obtained from this source at present; it is, however, nearly exhausted.
Futhermore, large quantities of slags and litharge were dredged from the sea and
melted.
The silver-lead mining and smelting industry has been developed chiefly with
French capital, and is now in the hands of two corporations working under conces-
sions from the Government — Compagnie des Mines da Laurium. Up to 1889 n sil-
ver was refined in Greece and all the crude silver-bearing lead was shipped to Eng-
land and France. In ohat year the Compagnie des Mines du Laurium, of which
the author was then general manager, built a small refinery, and on December 23 of
the same year the first Laurium silver was obtained after an interval of many centuries.
The results obtained since the resumption of operations until the end of the calen-
dar year 1899 are summarized below from the tables given in the article. The sil-
ver contents of the crude lead obtained from 1865 up to December 31, 1889, were
270
PEECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
estimated at 280,620 kilograms. The quantities of silvej’ contained in the lead prod-
ucts of subsequent years Avere as follows:
Year.
Ciuantity.
Year.
Quantity.
1890
Kiloqrams.
25,185
27, 404
28, 708
31,131
32,212
39, 497
30, 748
37, 156
1898
Kilograms.
42,148
36, 659
330, 848
280, ()20
611,468
1891
1899
1892
1893
Total, 1890-1899
1894
Total, prior to 1890
1895
1896
Total, 1865-1899
1897
The average silver contents per ton of crude lead are given in the following table :
Fine silver per ton.
Year.
Compagnie
des Usines
du Lau-
rium.
Compagiiie
des Mines
du Lau-
rium.
1890
Kilograms.
1.688
Kilograms.
1.924
1891 1
1.760
1.739
1892
2.115
1.735
1893
2. 362
1.781
1894
2. 326
1.856
1895
2.357
2.022
1896 1
2. 450
2.065
1897
2. 576
2. 050
1898
2.424
2. 091
1899
2. 118
1.906
THE GTJIANAS.
Ill the following commiinieation United States Consul Moulton, at
Demerara, reports the product of the British, Dutch, and French
Guianas for 1900.
RRITISH.
Gold produced, 3,509 kilograms.
This Bureau has heretofore estimated the tineness of the product of
British Guiana at 0.873.
The 3,509 kilograms reported, taken at this fineness, would give a
fine weight of 3,003.357 kilograms, of a value of ^>2, 035, 907, corre-
sponding to 98,187 ounces tine.
DUTCH.
Gold produced, 870 kilograms, valued at 1,200,500 florins..
This Bureau was informed by the United States consular agent at
Barimaribo that this gold assayed 0.990 tine, which gives a line weight
of 807.21 kilograms, of a value of $576,308, corresponding to 27,882
ounces tine.
FRENCH.
Gold produced, 2,378,177 kilograms.
As neither the value nor the tineness is stated in Mr. Moultoivs com-
munication, it is assumed to have been ])urc, the value of which would
then be $1,580,730, corresponding to 70,108 ounces tine.
271
PEEOIOUS METALS IN THE
V NlTEi) STATES.
JUUTlSll (;U1ANA.
Consulate oi*' the United States,
Demcrara, Ajrril 9, 1901.
Sir; In ]nirsuiiiice of iustructioiis, I have the honor to submit the following informa-
tion eoneerning the production and ex])ortation of gold in the territory embraced in
this consular district for the year 1900:
Tlie industry throughout British Guiana has undergone no important change dur-
ing the year, rrospecting has been contined to the same districts, and the output
has come from the same old claims, and the i)roduct was exported to England as
formerly. The amount produced was 112,789 ounces. The Puruni district increased
its production 3,270 ounces, and the i>roduct of the Essetpiibo district fell off about
the same amount. The output from the former district has steadily increased from
2,548 ounces in 1892 to 13,862 ounces in 1900. The favorable showing in this locality
is very encouraging, and increased activity in prospecting and developjnent is antici-
]iated. In the Barima and Barama districts the increased production during the
year is offset by the decrease in the Cuyuni, Potaro, and IMazaruni districts.
The government royalty on gold was reduced last July from 90 cents per ounce to
70 cents, and the regulations })rovide that license fees, paid by any one on any claim
during the year should be se't off pro tanto against royalty, payable on gold from
the claim. It is understood that this proviso was enacted to insure the Avorking of
claims held under license and to prevent individuals holding a number of unworked
claims.
Following is a copy of the official ])ublication of the commissioner of mines, stat-
ing the amount of gold produced in the various districts for the financial year ended
March 31, 1901, expressed in kilograms:
Barima
Barama
Cuyuni
Groete Creek
Puruni
Mazaruni
Kilograms.
... 510
250
. . . 682
45
. . . 432
60
Kilograms.
Essequibo 603
Potaro 925
Demerara 2
Total 3,509
Statements made by me in reports for the two preceding years regarding the cur-
rency of the colony apply to this year.
Buying and selling rates of the banks were as follows:
Buying
(per 100
pounds).
Selling
(per 100
pounds).
90-ilay bills
$477
478
479
480
$482i
484
485
487
C0-<iay bills
o0-(lay bills
Demand bills
Dutch Guiana produced for the calendar year 876 kilograms gold, valued at 1 ,200,500
florins.
FRENCH GUIANA.
French Guiana produced gold .during the year 1900 as follows:
Mana
Approuague
Sinnamari .
Roura
Maroni
Oyapock. . .
Kilograms.
. 686.533
. 550.418
. 477.745
. 99. 236
. 170.244
. 128,200
Kaw
Tracouba . .
Conteste . . .
Rourou
Total
Kilograms.
14. 228
6. 005
241. 498
4. 370
The boundary dispute between the French Colony and Brazil was settled some
months ago in favor of the latter country, and the output of gold from that district
is much less than last vear. French miners have abandoned that region to a great
272
PRECIOUS METALS IN
THE UNITED STATES.
extent and gone to other fields in the Sinnamari, Approiiague, Mana, and Maroni
districts, where rich discoveries are reported. I inclose a copy of the report of the
commissioner of mines of British Guiana and the amended mining ordinance.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Geo. H. Moulton, Co'asul.
The Director of the Mint,
Washington, D. C.
GENERAL STATE OE THE GOLD INDUSTRY.
[BTom report of the commiasioncr of mines, British Guiana, for the year 1899-1900.]
Department op Mines,
Georgetown, Demerara, August 20, 1900.
The gold industry showed a diminished output of only 324 ounces, 12 penny-
weights, 10 grains, the respective figures being, 1898-99, 113,114 ounces, 3 penny-
weights, 6 grains; 1899-1900, 112,789 ounces, 10 pennyweights, 20 grams.
The chief loss has been in the Essequibo district, where the falling otf was 3,200
ounces. This was counterbalanced by an increase of 3,270 ounces in the Puruni.
There was a decrease in five localities and an increase in four. The actual figures
are here set forth :
Increase: uunces.
Puruni 3,270
Barima 1, 716
Barama 1,087
Demerara 15
Total 6,088
Decrease: ounces.
Essequibo 3, 200
Cuyuni 1, 423
Potaro 1,157
Mazaruni 625
Groete Creek 10
Total 6, 415
The above record may be taken to show that the state of the industry was piacti-
cally the same as during the ]irevious year — that is to say that no new rich claims
were found, work being confined principally to the old claims which have been
discovered fqr some years now. . .
The steady increase in the output from the Puruni is most gratifying, and it is
honed that greater development may take place there this present year.
The output has risen steadily from 2,548 ounces in 1892-1893 to 13,862 ounces m
1899-1900. The Barama output has also increased, though more slowly than the
Puruni, from 3,880 ounces in 1894-95 to 8,025 ounces in 1899-1900.
No mining was carried on in No. 1 district. The Eanaimapoo and Appaparoo
mines in No. 2 district were not worked _ during the year, and spasinodic attempts
only Avere made to resuscitate quartz mining in the north Avestern district.
One thousand tAvo hundred and thirty-nine claims were located in the various dis-
tricts exclusive of No. 1. The amount of fees received for lodging the locations Avas
1594.72.
THE AMENDED MINING REGULATIONS.
On the 14th of July there came into force the amended mining regulations of 1899
Avhicli comprised all the changes of the mining regulations since the enactment o
the regulations of 1896. , . , .. i
The chief changes embodied are: (a) Section 7, (1) license for prospecting and
locating. A certificate that the applicant for a license is not a laborer umler a saiI>
sisting contract must be first obtained from the insUtute of mines (free of charge).
There is unfortunately no discretionary poAver given under the laAV, and in conse-
(pience those of high degree have equally with those of the lowest to be referred to
the institute for their certificates. _
(6) Section 7, (3) no prospecting license can be issued to any firm, syndK^te, or
partnership unless the name or names of the persons comprising such firm, ete., are
?tated in writing, signed by the persons, to the commissioner of mines, Avarden, or
Government officer.
(e) Section 10 made it legal to locate lands held by
a claim were not maintained in proper order.
others Avhere the boundaries of
I’KECIUUS METALS TN^ THE UNITED
STATES.
273
((f) Section 18 (1) permitH the holding of a groiij) uf cniitignoius clainiH hy main-
taining the ontside houndarieH only in good order.
(c) Section 20 specifies that if a location he made and on ai)i)lication being made
for a claim license the fees due are not paid for the claim, the location shall ipso facto
become null and void and the land he open to location hy anyone.
(/) Section 21, which corresponds to section 22 of the 1800 regulations, has done
away with the necessity for verifying all claims, and thereby reduced the labors of
the district oilicers greatly.
((/) Section 20 enacts that all gold made iluring prospection without locating shall
remain the property of the Crown.
(h) Section 20 (5) enacts that if after advertisement an applicant does not pay the
fees due for a claim license, and the claim is thereafter ))ut ui) for sale but not sold,
the claim shall be declared forfeited, and the land included therein shall become
open to location by anyone.
The license at present issued contains a proviso that it is given “in accordance with
the description of the claim given by the locator thereof and w’ithout i)rejudiceto the
rights of any other persons in respect of the same land, and the locator takes the
same subject to the condition that the location is on CroAvn land which can legally
be located under the niining law's.”
(i) Section 84 (2) confers a useful power on the commissioner or warden to detain
gold obtained from any claim for which claim-license fees have not been paid. This
has been regularly put into force since its enactment and has resulted in the collec-
tion of a large amount of fees.
(j) Section 35 reduced royalty from 90 to 70 cents per ounce of gold, and provided
that any claim-license fees paid by anyone on any claim during the year sliould be
set off pro tanto against royalty ])ayable on gold from the claim. This proviso wiis
enacted to insure the working of claims held under license and to prevent claims being
held by individuals in numbers and unw'orked.
(k) Regulations 37-42 of 1896 were abolished and amalgamation of claims done
away with.
(/) Section 38 (2), vesting in the governor the power to direct the commissioner
not to record and indorse a transfer, has taken the place of No. 44 of the old law, but
tloes not work so satisfactorily where cases of fraud occur.
(?n) A useful innovation has been introduced under ’38 (3) whereby transferees
have to furnish registered addresses.
(n) Section 40 provides for the prevalent custom of subletting mining property
and notification to the department of mines by the lessor of the names of his lessees,
wdio are held responsible with the owmer of the claim for the due observance of the
mining laws.
(o) Regulation No. 52 of 1896 has been omitted in the 1899 regulations.
fp) Section 61. The cost for survey of a claim is now |2 as against ^10 irreviously.
(q ) Jumping of claims, sections 62 and 63. No change was made in this law, but it
is not quite clear what is to be the procedure after a jumping dispute is settled,
wdiether the old-claim license is to be revoked and a new' one issued to the successful
“jumper,” or wdiether he is to locate after decision of the warden or Government
officer.
(r) Section 97 fills a requirement left out in the old law, and makes it compulsory
on an employer to provide means of (conveyance to the place wdiere he has engaged
for any time-expired laborer, and in the meantime while he continues on the claim
shall supply rations to him.
(s) Section 96 makes it obligatory to deliver the gold on wdiich royalty has been
paid to the holder of the royalty receipt, unless ordered otherwise by a court of com-
petent jurisdiction.
(t) Section 97 authorizes the detention of gold obtained from land not located or
for working which the fee payable has not been paid.
(u) Section 119 (2). The competency of persons to act as mining managers is by
this section decide<l by a board of examiners apixjinted by the governor and under
certain rules wdiich have to be confirmed by the governor. The previous arrange-
ment left the certification of managers in the hands of the mining inspectoi'. The
appointment of mining inspector having been abolished, the term commissioner in
some cases and in others warden or Government officer has been substituted for
mining inspector throughout the regulations.
(v) Section 144. Provision has been made in cases Avhere a survey is necessary to
decide a dispute for the officer deciding the matter to state on wdiom the expenses
of the survey shall fall.
(to) Section 166 allow's the governor to exercise his prerogative of ordering the
repayment of the value of any gold seized, forfeited, and sold.
12006—01 18
274
PilECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
(5) Tliese regulations, by doing away with the verilieation of claims, have enabled
the Department to issue a large nnndjer of licenses for claims which it was found
impossible to verify owing to the limited time at the disposal of the officers and the
often willful obstruction put in their way by the locators of the claims themselves
who were unwilling to pay the fee of $10 for each claim which became due on verifi-
cation of their claims. A glance at Appendix 15 will show that tliere were nearly
twice as many licenses issued between the coming into force of the new regulations
and March 81, 1900 (a period of barely nine months), as there were for a period of
two years and eight months from November, 1896, to July, 1900.
(6) Frequent complaints were made regarding the absconding of laborers, but I see
no help for this trouble until the system of giving the men advances on their wages
is done away with.
Statement Showing the Amount of Gold Obtained in the Colony duking the
Yeaes 1884 TO 1900.
Year.
Gold.
Year.
Gold.
1884
Ozs. dwts. grs.
250 0 0
1892-93
Ozs. dwts. grs.
134,124 7 23
1885
939 0 0
6, 518 1 12
10, 986 14 0
20, 216 1 8
32, 332 16 5
66, 864 4 21
no. 555 12 5
1893-94.
138; 527 16 14
132,994 15 20
121,285 5 7
127, 479 8 4
121,490 15 20
1886
1894-95
1887
1895-96
1888-89
1896-97
1889-90
1897-98
1890-91
1898-99
113,114 3 6
112, 789 10 20
1891-92
1899-1900
COMPAEATIVE STATEMENT OF GoLD OBTAINED FEOM THE DeLO W-MENTIONED
Disteicts dueing the Financial Yeaes 1898-99 and 1899-1900.
District.
1898-99.
1899-1900.
Barima
Ozs.
14, 672
6,938
23, 342
1,456
dwts. grs.
14 2
Ozs.
16, 388
8, 025
21,919
1,446
diuts. grs.
16 12
Barama
1
13
8
8
Cuyuni
10
9
10
18
Groete Creek
8
15
19
12
I’uruni
lO; 592
2, 572
8
0
13; 862
1,947
19, 386
29, 764
46
17
0
Mazaruni
4
9
16
18
Essequibo
22; 586
30, 921
31
7
13
12
20
Potaro
11
18
12
5
Denierara
16
23
16
23
Total
113,114
3
6
112, 789
10
20
Statement of Gold Obtained feom C^uaetz IMines, 1899-1900.
Origin.
Amount.
Winter’s Gold Mine
Ozs. dwts. gr.s.
<‘857 18 ■ 19
11 3 13
Gold Quartz Syndicate
Total
869 2 8
» The greater portion of this gold was oldaiucd from alluvial washing on this i>roperty.
BEITISII GUIANA.
[Court of I’olicy. Ordinance No. 3 of I'JOl. An ordinance to amend the mining ordinance, 1887.
20th March, 1001. 1 assent: Walter J. Scndall, governor.]
Be it enacted hi/ the governor of British Chiiana, with the advice and consent of the court of
policg thereof, as follows :
1. This ordinance may be cited as the mining ordinance, 1887, amendment ordi-
nance, 1901.
PRECIOUS METALS TM THE UNITED STATES.
275
2. Tlie mining onliiuiiu-e, 1887 (hereinaftc'r n-fcrred touHtlio i)i'inci|)ul ordinance),
and this ordinance sliall he construed and remain in operation as one ordinance.
8. The following detinition shall be deemed added at the end of section 2 of the
princi])al ordinance :
“ Valnahle mineral” moans any mineral cf)ntaining gold or silver or both together
with some other metal in such [)roportions that the gold or silver or both combined
obtainable from such mineral is or are of greater value than the cost of separating
the gold or silver or both from the baser constituents without any expenditure for
rentlering these latter constituents of commercial value.
4. (1) In any case in which owing to the amount of capital to he invested or the
works to be undertaken by any person who desires to obtain a concession under
the principal ordinance it ai>pears expedient to the governor in council to do so the
governor in council may with the approval of the secretary of state permit such
person to temporarily occupy and test the value of any unoccupied Crown lands
without a concession in respect thereof being first granted, subject nevertheless to
such terms and conditions as to the governor in council may seem meet.
(2) The governor in council may, in special cases and with the approval of the
secretary of state, give to any such person the exclusive right of occupation and
exploration, as provided in subsection (1) hereof, within a given area.
5. In any case in Avhich a concession is granted under the principal ordinance in
respect of unoccupied Crown lands it shall be lawful for the governor to make an
absolute grant therewith of the Crown lands to which such concession relates without
requiring the provisions of the Crown lands ordinance, 1887, and the Crowm lands
regulations for the time being in force to be complied with: Provided, That no grant
of the nature set forth in this section shall l)e made either under this section or under
any other form of procedure wdthout the approval of the secretary of state.
h. (1) The owner of any private lands shall hold and enjoy all metals other than
gold and silver therein or thereon, and may search and mine for, and ■when found
take and appropriate the same to his own use without previously obtaining any con-
cession or license under the principal ordinance.
(2) The owner of any private lands shall also be entitled to take and appropriate
t(j his own use any metal other than gold or silver contained in any valuable mineral
in or on his lands, and which has been separated from such gold or silver by the
liolder of any such concession or license as foresaid, unless such holder purchases such
metal from the owner of the land at sucJi price as may be agreed on, or (in default
of any such agreement being arrived at) as may be stated in writing by the commis-
sioner of mines to be the net value of the metal after paying the cost of winning the
same, no deduction from sucli cost being made on account of gold or silver, or both,
having been obtained along with such metal.
(3) The owner of any private lands may, without previously obtaining any conces-
sion or license under the principal ordinance, search and mine for and when found
take and appropriate to his own use any mineral therein or thereon containing gold
or silver or both, together with some other metal in such proportions that the gold
or silver or both combined obtainable from such mineral is or are not of greater
value than the cost of obtaining the same alone therefrom: Provided ahvays, That in
any such case such owner shall, if any gold or silver or both is or are extracted from
such mineral, comply with the mining regulations for the time being in force as to
keeping a record of gold and silver obtained and as to the removal thereof and the
payment of royalty thereon.
(4) Nothing in this section shall authorize the owner of any private lands to search
and mine for or when found to take and appropriate to his own use any valuable
mineral in or on his lands without previously obtaining such concession or license
aforesaid.
(5) Nothing in this section shall give the owner of private lands any right to any
precious stones therein or thereon.
7. The following words shall be deemed added at the end of the proviso marked
(1) in section 3 of the principal ordinance: “except with the approval of the secre-
tary of state.”
8. It shall be lawful for the governor in the name of His Majesty to issue a conces-
sion to any person or l)ody corporate to occupy any river or creek or portion thereof,
and tliere to dredge for and, if and when found, to take and appropriate to the use
of such person or body corporate all gold, silver, and valuable minerals, including
precious stones: Provided, That every such license shall be subject to such special reg-
idations as may from time to time be passed by the governor and court of policy, and
to any conditions contained in such concession. Any dredging concession issued
before the commencement of this ordinance shall have effect as if issued under this
section.
276
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
9. Notwithstanding anything in the pj’incipal ordinance contained, it shall be law-
ful for the governor, in the iianie of His Majesty and witli the approval of tlie secre-
tary of state, to issue a general concession to any person or b(xly corporate, subject to
regulations as to royalty, entitling such person or body corporate to the soil and to all
minerals, includiug ])recious stones, found therein.
10. It shall be lawful for the governor to forfeit any grant or concessicjn on breach
of any regulations or conditions relating thereto.
DUTCH WEST INDIES.
PKOnUOTlON AND EXPORTS OP GoLD.
[From Jaarcillers Vuorhct Kouiiikrijk der Nederlandoii Koloineu, l.S'.)9, ])p. -l‘J-130.]
Year.
Produetion.
Exports.
Quantity.
Value.
Quantity
to Nether-
laiid.s.
Total.
Value.
1S90
Grams.
814, 352
1,236,919
810, 713
867, 644
77(), ()34
7 18, .539
846, 366
903, 124
864, 990
893, 197
Florins.
1,115,662
1, 704, 579
1,088,980
1, 188, 672
1, 063, 989
1,025,498
1,159,522
1,237,280
1, 185, 037
1,223, 680
Grams.
852, 643
709, 014
817, 756
833,118
884, 616
736, 409
698, 478
586, 036
729,845
823, 831
Grams.
952, 023
820, 983
1 , C78, 966
1, 159, 675
1,181,601
954, 294
874,897
859, 905
829, 639
872, 373
Florins.
1,304,271
1,124,746
1,478,163
1, 588, 755
1,618,793
1, 307, 383
1, 198, 600
1, 178, 070
1, 136, 606
1, 195, 151
1891
1892
1893
1894
1895
1896
1897
1898
1899
Total, 1876-1899 ^
24, 204, 207
a Since the beginning of t.hc industry (cf. Algemccn Verslag van het Munt-College, 1899, p. 28).
ITALY.
According’ to Italian official reports quoted below, the gold produc-
tion of Italy in 1899 and 1900 amounted to 113.350 and 53 kilograms,
respectively. The average values per kilogram are above the coining
value adopted by the Latin Union. The gold must, tliereforc, lie
assumed to be fine.
The silver product of domestic mines was, according to the same
source, 25,491 kilograms in 1899, and 23,374 kilograms in 1900. The
estimated value per kilogram was 107 francs in 1899 and 107.82 francs
in 1900, which corresponds to 03 cents and 04 cents pei* ounce, respec-
tively, and must, therefore, represent fine silver.
The cpuintitics and values of the gold and silver products arc stated
in the followiiiif table:
I’uonucTiON FOR 1899 anj) 1900.
Year.
Fine gold.
Value.
Fine silver.
United States
coining
value.
1.899
KiUxjrams.
113
53
Ounces.
3, 633
1,704
jf75,lO0
35, 224
h'i[o(/rams.
25, 494
23, 374
Ounces.
819,481
751,335
tfl, 0.59, 531
971,423
1900
Production of tiik ]\1ink8, 1900.“
De.seription.
Quantity.
Total
value.
Value
per ton.
Silver ore
Tons.
584
5, 840
Lire.
398, 870
266, 284
Lire.
683. 00
45.60
Gold ore
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
277
PUODUCTION Ol'’ THE IvEKINEKIES."
Metal.
(at’Uitity.
Total
value.
Value per
kilogram.
Gold
Kilograms.
bl
Lire.
199, 933
3, 360, 197
Lire.
3,477.09
107.82
Silver
31,108
» From the Report of ttie Inspector of Minos, August, PJOl; Revista del Servizio Minerario nel 1900,
pp. XXV, XXX, XXXV.
The gold, with the exception of 4 kilogTanis olitainedat tlie refinery
of Terhusola (province of Genoa), all comes from domestic ores.
Silver was recovered from both domestic and foreign ores, viz,
2H,3T4 kilooTams from domestic ores and 7,7lU from foreign ores.
The following information is compiled from Ifevista del Servizio
jMinerario for 181)0, published b}" the Italian ministry of agriculture,
industry, and commerce. There were in 1890 16 mines in operation
producing gold ore, with a total product of 11,859 tons, valued at
457,080 lire, and 7 mines ])roducing silver ore, with a total product of
540 tons, valued at 582,26^ lire (p. xxv).
There were 9 retincries operating on domestic gold ores and both
domestic and imported silver and silver-lead ores. Moreover, gold to
the amount of 16.5 kilograms, valued at 56,100 lire, was obtained as a
by-product at the chemical factoiy of L, Vogel Company, at Bo visa, in
the Milan district, b}^ treating the residue of pyrites, which had been
operated upon in the manufacture of sulphuric acid. The total pro-
duction of the retineries is shown in the following talde:
Description.
Quantit}’?
Value.
Per kilo-
gram.
To till.
Gold, crude
Kilograms.
113. 350
Lire.
3,488.97
Lire.
395, 475
Silver, crude:
From domestic ores
25, 491
8, 150
From foreign ores
In all
33, 044
107. 00
3,000,108
(See i>p. x.xx, xxxv, and exxxiii.)
The total imports of lead ore and argentiferous lead ore amounted
to 7,476 tons, coming from Asiatic Turkey, Algiers, and Spain. The
yield of metal from foreign ores amounted to 8,150 kilograms silver
and 4,906 tons of lead. The exports of lead ore and silver-lend ores
amounted to 3,129 tons and went to Holland, France, and Belgium.
It does not appear whether domestic ores alone were exported, or the
export figures likewise cmliraced foreign ores reexported (p. lii).
The following table presents a comparative statement of the pro-
duction, imports, and exports of gold and silver bullion:
Description.
Produc-
tion.
Imports.
Exports.
Gold, crude
Kilograms.
113
33, 6 14
Kilograms.
320
1, 782
Kilograms.
1, 102
32, 432
Silver, crude
278
PEECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
Gold was imported from German}^ and exported to Switzerland and
France; silver was imported from France and Germany and exported
to the same countries and Switzerland (p. liv).
Gold and silver products of Italian mines for a series of years are
given in the following tables:
Silver Production.
Year.
Number
of active
mines.
Silver ore.
Quantity.
Value.
1871
3
T<ms.
15
15
Lire.
50, 889
50, 889
312,652
774, 486
1872
3
1873
3
137
1874
3
260
1875
3
394
906; 432
633,232
971, 756
1876
3
249
1877
4
661
1878
4
1,041
1, 409
1,801
1,444
1,359; 571
1,595,608
2, 229, 169
2,238,951
1,739,895
1,673,975
1,867,331
1,962,390
1. 441, 400
2, 173, 644
1,923,419
1,748, 663
2, 100, 974
1,973,484
1,729,492
1,177,973
847, 222
1879
1
1880
4
1881
4
1882
1883
6
4
i;449
1,510
1,626
1,485
1884
4
1885
4
1886
7
i;639
1,892
2, 005
1,997
1,750
1887
9
1888
8
1889
8
1890
8
1891
10
2, 006
1,680
1892
8
1893
8
li236
1, 103
870
1894
6
1895
7
641, 366
536, 254
1896
8
640
1897 :
7
405
42S; 260
380, 238
582, 262
1898
8
435
1899
7
540
Gold 1*roductioxV.
Year.
N umber
of active
mines.
Gold
ore.
tiuantity.
Value.
1860
n
Ton ft.
5, 623
hire.
2.51,910
211,503
218,428
13.5, 139
235, 649
205, 792
399, 765
399, 765
1861
12
14
2, 288
1862
2, 030
4,022
1863
13
14
1864
10. 381
1865
13
4,797
1866
10
9; 190
1867
10
9, 190
9,190
9,190
9, 190
1868
10
399, 765
399, 765
1869
10
1870
10
399, 765
1871
17
10; 947
8, 847
5, 789
375, 482
1872
18
328, 557
134,536
39, 157
1873
20
1874
18
i;788
2,701
1875
17
120;277
1876
14
6,2.53
7,453
8, 804
9, 700
213; 539
251, 390
322, 080
416,524
598,531
475, 170
456, 990
345, 003
446, 807
1877
20
1878
21
1879
28
1880
25
11,757
12, 190
12,202
10, 486
16, 037
11,106
1881
24
1882
27
1883
19
1884
17
1885. \
22
498, 453
532,651
584,918
488,158
608, 427
1886 '
12
10; 759
11,134
1887
18
1888
21
10; 638
10,932
1889
20
PRECIOUS METALS lU THE UNITED STATES
279
Gold PRODuerioN — Continned.
Year.
Number
of active
mines.
Gold ore.
Quantity.
Value.
1S90
21
Tons.
8,29C
Lire.
521,002
4G6, 378
473, 482
CG3, 733
1891
20
7, 729
1892
17
g; C12
7, 393
7,748
7, 099
7, G59
1893
22
1891
27
GG3,908
649, 434
1895
18
189()
15
853i 008
890, 048
G44, 134
1897
14
10, 723
9,549
11,859
1898
13
1899
IG
457, 080
In the following' tables the production of gold and silver at Italian
refineries is collated for a series of }^ears, with the imports and
exports :
Gold Production.
Year.
Crude gold.
Import.
Export.
Quantity.
Value.
1866
Kiloqrams.
173
162
163
182
200
Lire.
474, 368
442, 227
424, 796
488, 323
637,411
Kilograms.
Kilograms.
1867
1868
1869
1870
1871
1872
1873
1874
1875
28
109
124
145
197
217
214
218
180
171
209
195
234
187
214
206. 359
284
330
362. 400
349.314
279. 705
274. 669
316
187. 856
113. 350
80,118
286, 253
375, 391
437, 665
596, 649
640, 326
590. 000
600.000
1876
1877
1878
894
2, 030
2, 028
1,988
693
1,193
1,662
2,159.
2,002
2, 152
146
1,536
254
1,163
1,035
1,173
1,609
1,119
1,007
807
507
326
1, 601
4,560
2, 549
300
84
82
61
21
146
194
135
520
1,219
243
1879
1880
1881
1882
1883
1884
464, 373
628, 140
527, 736
634, 924
606, 323
569, 848
544,182
834, 199
1,022, 894
1,121,016
1,260,286
997, 262
945,119
1,094,410
669,090
395, 475
1885
1886
1887
1888
1889
1890
1891
1892
1893
416
1,543
2,759
2,517
1,381
1,739
1,162
1894
1895
1896
1897
1898
1899
Silver Production.
Year.
Quantity.
Value.
Import.
Export.
I860
Kilograms.
878
541
866
701
640
676
659
1,723
3,039
lAre.
193, 172
118, 921
188, 242
147, 179
134, 488
141,906
138, 345
362,211
662, 051
Kilograms.
Kilograms.
1861
1862
1863
1864
1865
1866
1867
1868
280
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
Silver Production — Continued.
1869
1870
1871
1872
1873
1874
1875
1876
1877
1878
1879
laso
1881
1882
1883
1884
1885
1886
1887
1888
1889
1890
1891
1892
1893
1894
1895
1896
1897
1898
1899
Year.
Quantity.
Value.
Iniport.
Export.
Kilograms.
Lire.
Kilograms.
Kilograms.
2,130
468, 987
2^033
427; 256
2, 565
538', 752
2, 557
536i 715
2, 822
592; 195
2,818
592; 428
3; 117
623', frl5
3, 314
629, 198
4,333
866, 381
7; 335
1,451; 814
i7,869
119,645
21.122
4, 226, 515
24,. 566
1,114
24,035
4, 328, 464
3, 465
3,433
24,018
4,32:1,210
5, 641
1,583
24,128
4,343,040
6, 165
11,637
30, 128
5,423,040
7, 885
33, 098
31, 191
5, 770, 335
6, 865
29,845
33, 346
4, 670, 280
13,571
27, 451
33, 839
5, 414, 240
25, 903
45, 520
33, 387
5, 500, 000
29, 971
20, :188
34, 891
5,491,270
1,129
3,180
33, 505
5,025,750
5, 416
17,116
34, 248
6, 822, 160
254
1,219
37, 600
6, 016, 000
1,187
22, 820
43, 000
6,407,000
1, 146
73,390
40, 095
5, 653, 395
1,123
51,856
58, 626
6,448,860
3, 529
1.34, 305
44, 188. 902
5,037,299
2,845
37, 013
38, 075. 263
4,411,138
2, 291
26, 854
45, 313
4,588,352
2,434
50, .503
43,437.426
4,470,786
991
68,607
33, 644. 566
3, 600, 108
1,782
32, 432
JAPAN.
United States Minister Buck reports that he is nna])le to give an}’
production ligures for 1899 or 1900.
The report of the director of the French mint for 1901 contains, on
page 275, a product of 2,3-12 kilograms of gold, valued at 2,215,711 }'en,
and 50,317 kilograms of silver, valued at 2,151,811 yen, for 1889.
This gives a value to the gold product of $1,101,310, representing
53,121 ounces, or 1,662 kilograms lino, and a commercial value to the
silver product of $1,072,178, representing, at the average price of sil-
ver for 1899 ($0.60 per ounce line), 1,787,163 ounces line, at a coining
value of $2,311,063, corresponding to 55,608 kilograms hue.
The production for 1900 is assumed to have been the same as for
The preliminary figures for 1898, given m last year’s report, are
corrected in accordance with tlie final results contained in the latest
annual Kesume Statistique de I’Enqfire du Japon, puhlished in 1901,
viz, gold, 37,336 ounces; silver, 1,916,618 ounces.
Les Mines du fbipon, an official publication prepared liy the Japa-
nese (jovernment for the Bails Kxqiosition of lf)00, contains the follow-
ing data on the production of gold and silver in Japan from 18ff2 to
1897 (]>p. xii, xiii):
Year.
Gold.
Silver.
(iuantity.
Value.
Quantity.
Value.
1892
Grams.
702, 274
738, 241
787, 628
898, 6.50
964, 357
1,063,1.58
Fm.
469, 380
611,306
7.51,181
971,032
1,062,133
1,198,472
Grams.
60, 388, 820
69, 433, 402
72, 216, 267
72,45:3,173
64, 498, 744
.55, 6.50, 061
Yai.
2,319,810
2,738,144
2,854,522
2, 865, 741
2, 544,708
1,906,267
1893
1894
1895
1896
1897
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
281
It appears upon computation that the cstiimited value per kiloj>*ram
of gold as well as of silver varies from year to year. The (piantitics
evidently represent crude gold and silver.
KOREA.
ITnited States Minister Allen reports, i-egarding the production of
gold for 11)00, as follows:
Owintr to the al'tsence of statistics, the production of p;old in Korea is unknown,
althougli the amount is considerable. Declared exports of gold from Korean ports
in 1900 amounted to 633, 050 yens (if 1,81 6,525) , against 2,933,232 yens in 1899. A
conservative estimate gives an almost equal amount for the undeclared exycort. The
gold used for domestic purposes and in the arts, regarding which there are no statis-
tics, mcist also be taken into account. The annual production of gold at present in
Korea may be considered as between $4,000,000 and $5,000,000.
It would be impossible at this date to compare the Korean export
figures with the import figures of the countries importing from Korea,
inasmuch as most of the reports for 1900 are still in preparation.
The conjecture of our minister is, in all probability, substantially
correct; that for last }mar was corroborated by another obsei'ver, who
expressed the same view in L’Economiste Europeen (Februaiy 23,
1900).
In the absence of direct data on the subject, the gold product of
Korea is taken at $1:, 500, 000, upon the authority of our minister.
This corresponds to 217,687 ounces, or 6,771 kilograms, fine.
MEXICO.
The Mexican Government publishes no official statistics of the pro-
duction of gold and silver. It is estimated by adding the respective
values of declared exports and of the coinage for the year, with an
additional allowance for industrial consumption. Of these elements
the amount of exports, ly far the largest, is incapable of exact ascer-
tainment, owing to the fact that a considerable proportion of Mexican
gold and silver is exported in various stages of crudeness.
The following table of exports of gold and silver for the calendar
3" ear 1900 is compiled from the Estadistica Fiscal, of Mexico:
Exportation of Gold and Silver during the Calendar Year 1900.
GOLD.
Description.
Declared
value.
Gold ore
Pesos.
306,395.13
151,873.00
40, 553. 00
7, 435, 867. 08
128, 677. 49
177, 194. 71
Mexican gold coin
Foreign gold coin
Gold bullion
Gold cyanides
Gold sulphides
Total
8,240,560.41
282
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
ILxpoKTATroN OF GoLi) AND SiLVEK DURING TUE Caeendak Year 1900 — Continued.
silvp:r.
Dcsoriptinu.
Declared
value.
Silver ore
Pesos.
12, 495, 525. 12
22. 239. 952. 00
439, 704. 02
8,531,720.27
27. 357. 824. 00
5, 579, 200. 01
07, 008. 98
1,893, 047.43
87, 884. 08
Mexican silver coin
Foreign silver coin
Silver bullion:
(a) In bars
(b) In crude lead
(c) Alloyed with copper
Silver cyanides
Silver sulphides
Silver in foundry grease
Total '
78,093,079.11
The value of the gold exported is considered at the rate of St>75.41(> per kilogram, and of the silver
atS40.915, conforming to tlie regulation relative thereto of the date of .June 2(!, 1895.
The average value given the Mexican peso in New York during the calendar year 1900 was $0.4854J.
Deducting the items “domestic” and “foreign” coins from the
aliove table, and adding the coinage of the 3-ear, we luwe the following:
Item.
Coining value.
Gold.
Silver.
Exports
Pesos.
8, 048, 134
508, 825
Pesos.
50, 013, 423
17, 097, 050
Coinage 1
Total
8, 010, 959
73,110,473
Mexico uses some bullion in the industrial arts; how much, is not
known.
The value of the ore, Inillion, etc., imported into the United States
during 1900 was as follows:
Item.
Coining value.
Gold.
Silver.
IMiIllon deposited at mints
S2, 202, 522
0, 172, 320
SI , 429, 217
53,417,850
Bullion and ore refined at private rcliiieries
Total
8,374,842
54, 847, 007
The total gold bullion and ore reported as exported bv Mexico was
if'H, 018, 134, while the above table shoAvs that the United States received
$8,374,842, Avhich exceeds their export figures b>' $32(),70S, and makes
no allowance for exports to other countries.
As the United States received from Mexico gold bullion and ore to
the value of $8,374,842 during the 3-ear, and the coinage of Mexico
was valued at $508,825 — a total value of $8,943,007 — it is reasonable
to assume that the gold product of Mexico for 1900 was $9,000,000,
corresponding to 435,37f> ounces, or 13,542 kilograms, tine.
The Mexican silver coining rate is 40.915 pesos per kilogram, which
gives for the total exports and coinage of silver a fine weight of
1,786,88^ kilograms, representing a coining value in United States
mone3^ of $74,203,024, corresponding to 57,437,808 ounces, fine.
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STA'I'ES.
283
iNIINES AND MTNTNO.
[Coni])ilo<l by the Ruroiiu of Aincrioan Roi>iiblies.]
During the year 1898-99, according to the Boletin de Estadistica Fiscal, tlie nnm-
b(.'r of existing titles to mining properties paying taxes, in c;ompliance with the law
of June 6, 1892, and other regulations, amounted to 8,o50, (covering 72,304 hectares.
The class of minerals and number of claims were:
Minerals.
Properties.
Ilectare.s.
Gold
872
1,9:12
40
1,011
192
1,162
69
r-,5
12
3
2
8,666
15,763
307
33,135
1,637
10, 848
857
896
147
35
13
Gold and silver
Gold, silver, and lead
.Silver
Silver and copper
Silver and lead
Gold and copper
Gold, silver, and copper
Silver, copper, and lead
Silver and manganeses
Silver and merenrv
Total
8, 3.')0
72, :104
Near the city of Chihuahua is situated the celebrated Santa Eulalia mine, one of
the oldest in the country, the ju’oducts of which have left a monument in the very
handsome parish church of San Francisco, erected in the city between the years 1717
and 1789 with the i:)roceeds of a tax of 1 real (12.1 cents) on each half pound of silver
got from the mine. The total sum thus secured is stated to be $800,000.
During the early part of the year 1897, at the properties of the Gold Hill Mining
Company, in the southwestern part of Chihuahua, the result of an experimental run
of 100 tons of tailings from the surface ore of the Rosario mine was a 30-ounce bar of
gold. So primitive were the methods employed by the original workei's (jf the
greater part of the jMexican mines that the Indians often make a fair living by work-
ing over the tailings.
Sonora is one of the richest as well as most important mining centers. It is noted
for its high-class metals, among which are gold, silver, mercury, and iron. Here
abound the soft or lead ores, which are so easily worked and aid so inaterially in
smelting. Native silver is found in these districts in considerable (piantities.
Sonora has lately been turning out plenty of gold, and the output will be largely
increased since the Yacpii Reservation has been thrown open. Rich ])lacersare known
to exist there, and it is expected that the inllux of prospectors will be great in tlie
near future. Over 200 prospectors \vent into the Yaqui country in August, 1897, and it
is stated that an Arizona miner came out recently witli $80,000, the product of the work
of three men during three months. Of the six millions of gold exported from Mexico
during the year 1896, three and a quarter millions were furnished l)y Sonora.
Zacatecas is the great silver-producing State. It is estimated that in the last
three centuries its many mines, which were first worked l)y the Spaniards in 1540,
but which had previously been worked in a rude way by the Indians, have yielded
over a thousand million of dollar’s.
Guerrero has always been considered as one of the richest mineral sections of
America. Prospectors heretofore have been compelled to abandon rich discoveries
on account of a lack of transportation facilities and scarcity of labor. The con-
struction of the IMexico, Cuernavaca and Pacific Railway has commenced to open up
this wonderful country, with the result that no less than three large American
companies have .sent experts to investigate the marvelous wealth of this belt, which
is comparatively unknown. Many natives in the .state named make a living by
washing out placer gold in the crudest possible manner.
Experts announce that there is an abundance of gold in this portion of the coun-
try, and that the only need is the i)resence of intelligent ju’ospectors to find it. The
gold runs from 10 to 121 ounces to the ton.
The State of Oaxaca has long been recognized to be rich in gold, and much work
lias been done by the arrastra system, by which a good deal of the metal was lost
in the tailings. There is the best authority for the .statement that some dumps there
contiiin thousands of tons which will assay as high as an ounce to the ton.
Guanajuato is another far-famed silver-producing State, and has been and still is
the center of great exploitation. The district bearing the name of the State was dis-
284
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
covered in 1548, and has been worked almost continuously ever since that date, the
outpiit of its mines reaching fabulous figures. Native gold has been discovered in
this district.
Pachuca, with its rich cluster of mines, lies on a plain about 60 miles from the
City of Mexico, and is one of the oldest mining centers in the country, having been
worked for more than three and one-half centuries. The district within which it
lies now has a population of 98,269, a large proportion of which is Indian miners.
It was here that the patio process of amalgamation was discovered by the celebrated
Mexican miner, Bartolom6 de Medina, in 1557. The very hacienda de beneficio or
reduction works Avhere this discovery was made are still to be seen in the town.
Sulphate of silver is the prevailing metal, although native silver mixed with ore is
fomid in some of the mines of this district. Most of these mines, as well as those in
other States, are still operated in the primitive Mexican fashion. The metal is
brought uj:* in rawhide sacks by means of ropes made of the fiber of the maguey
wound al)out a large malacate (horse or mule windlass), and the peons or laborers
carry pieces of ore weighing sometimes between 100 and 200 pounds on their 1)acks
from “headings” of the levels to the main shaft. Some foreigners are employed in
the mines of Pachuca and elsewhei’e at good wages, but they generally are superin-
tendents, engineers, bosses, etc.
The most interesting fact in connection with the mining industry of Mexico is the
recent increase in her gold output. In 1893 the value of the gold produced was
only 3| per cent of the silver. In 1894 it rose to abont 14 per cent; in 1895 it
increased from 14,896 pounds to 18,539 pounds in fine gold.
The exports of gold bullion from Mexico since 1888-89, according to Mexican
official figures, have been as follows:
Year.
Value
(Mexican
silver).
Year.
Value
(Mexican
silver).
1888-89
J349, 506
457, 608
612, 618
751, 407
357,887
155, 954
1894-95
$•1,139,645
5, 246, 418
5, 8.58, :166
6,.S64,30S
7,347,760
1889-90
1895-96 .•
1890-91
1896-97
1891-92
1897-98
1892-93
1898-99
1893-94
The exports of silver bidlion since 1888-89 are as follows:
Year.
Value
(Mexican
silver).
Year.
Value
(Mexican
silver).
1888-89
$6, 629, 260
7, 259, 956
6, 751 , 217
6, 559, 668
5, 148, 202
3, 130, 823
1894-95
$18, 803, 867
26,345,160
32,137,2.57
35, 721, 275
40, 429, 954
1889-90
1895-96.
1890-91
1896-97
1891-92
1897-98
1892-93
1898-99
1893-94
The exports of metals, exclusive of gold and silver bullion, but including gold and
silver coin, since 1894-95, are as follows in Mexican pesos:
Minerals.
1894-95.
1895-96.
1896-97.
1897-98.
1898-99.
Gold ores
Silver ores
Mexic in goKl coin
Mexican silver coin
$.59, 660
10, 935, :i.53
164,113
17,077,119
$160,555
10, 885, 479
169, 794
20, 377, 663
$349, 0,82
10,680, 732
93, 632
14,578, 9.58
$3.89, 393
11,1:57,996
1 16, 428
1.8, 211, 9, S9
$992, 929
9, 851,. 8.90
212, 422
14, 116,9:55
There are five processes for the reductit)n of ore at present in use in IMexico — the
I>atio, tonel, lixiviation, fuegp, and j)an.
The patio jrrocess, invented as before stated, by Bartolem6 de Medina, consists of
amalgamation with quicksilver. This system of treating ore is as follows:
The ore is brought from the mine in large pieces and carried to a covered box,
where it is ])ounded to pieces by immense wooden crushers, provided at the end with
heavy iron pestles, and working ou arms connected with an axle, operated by horse-
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
285
Itower. The iron pestles reduce the ore to pieces, which fall upon a sieve made of
hide, the smaller frajjments jxissiiif^ throuffh it while the larger are placed hack in ( he
))ox to be crushed again. There are generally several of these crushers in a straight
line, working alternately. After the (»re has hi'en crushed in the mortars (morteros)
it j>asses to the mill (hvliones), whi(;h consists of a round vat placed on a level with
(he th)or. Here the ore is ground up into line dust hy means of three heavy and
hard granite stones, ohlong in shaj)o and connected with a revolving shaft operated
hy horsepowei'.
By the gradual addition of water during this })rocess of jnilverization a muddy
mass is formed, which at the proper time is thrown out into the patio (yard), which
has a floor made of hard cement or stone, where the mud is treated hy the addition
of ([uicksilver and strong brine, called caldo. It is thus left in the ope.n air, ex])Osed
to the heat of the sun for some twenty or thirty <lays, being stirred every day hy
men and horses tramping over it until the quicksilver and the salt are well incorpo-
rated to the ore. This substance is called torta de lama (cake of mud L and when the
process of mixing is completed, the mud is carried to the lavadero (washing place)
and placed in vats where it is washed, leaving in the vats what is called plata pina
(amalgamated silver), containing quicksilver. This amalgam is then placed into
stout canvas bags and submitted to a heavy pressure to extract the mercury, and
when this operation is completed it is placed in the oven, where the silver is purified.
An additional process connected with this system in the reduction of certain kinds
of ores is employed after the mineral has been exposed to the sun in the patio, or
yard, when it is transferred to the planillo, which is an inclined plane in tlie open
air, having a solid stone floor some 60 feet long and 20 feet wide. The workmen
are engaged all along this inclined plane in throwing small quantities of water on the
lama, so that the mud runs off to a ditch while the silver remains at the foot of the
plane. Tins method requires skill, as the water must be added gradually. The
silver and the remaining . muddy mass is carried to a large iron boiler where it is
heated and stirred until the evaporation of the liquid is accomplished. At the
proper stage of this operation the remaining substance is taken to the amalgamating
room, where the quicksilver is added, which unites with the silver. The mass result-
ing is then washed again, only the amalgam of silver and mercury remaining, which
is further purified in a furnace and the silver run into molds.
In the method of lixiviation which is adopted in several of the States the rock is
crushed dry and passed through screens of twenty to thirty meshes to the inch.
It is then roasted in reverberatory furnaces with salt. The roasted ore is then sub-
jected to the water process, being kept in large tanks or tubs, constantly covered
and run over by clear water during a number of hours, after which the water is
drawn off and a cold solution of hyposulphate of soda is made to pass through the
ore until it is ascertained that the solution carries no more silver. The silver carried
by the hyposulphate solution is precipitated by the addition to that solution of
another solution of quicklime and sulphur, known as calcium sulphide, which is
made by boiling lime and sulphur. After the precipitation and the running off of
the precipitating liquid the silver appears as a suljdiide, is put into canvas filters,
dried, roasted in reverberatory furnaces to carry off the sulj)hur, and then melted
into bars. If the operation is carefully performed, the bullion resulting will be
from 900 to 1,000 fine. The solution is pumped back into the tanks to be used again.
There are several kinds of silver ore taken from the mines. Some of the principal
varieties are plata blanca (white silver), which is the rarest and best; plata verde
(green silver), united with copper; bronces (bronzes), united ■with iron; plomosos
(lead), united with lead, a very soft ore; caliches (chalk), united with a chalky
substance very greatly resembling the '*,ommon white limestone, but which is rich in
silver and easily worked. Previous to the passage of the tariff bill of 1890, generally
known as the McKinley bill, and the succeeding tariff bills, silver-bearing lead ore
was brought from Mexico to the United States for reduction. These bills put a
heavy duty on such ores, and have caused companies to form in the latter country to
establish smelting works in different parts of Mexico. Millions of dollars have been
invested by American capitalists in this industry.
Wages for miners range all the way from 37^ cents to $1.50 per day, the workmen
being mostly peones. Superintendents, ore treaters, etc., are generally Americans,
Swedes, or Germans.
MINTS, CURRENCY, BANKS, AND BANKING.
Since the enactment of the law of June 6, 1887, the production of gold and silver has
greatly increased in the Republic, and it is due to this law that the latter metal has
attained its present enormous output. The main objects of the law in reference were:
The reduction of the cost of metal production; to relieve the mining industry as much
286
PEECIOUS METALS IM THE UNITED STATES.
as possible of the onerous taxes and obstacles which retarded its free development; to
lower the cost of the principal raw materials required in the industry, and also to
attract capital. Further legislation on June 6, 1892, gave a new impetus to mine
production, the output of silver from 1886 to 1891 being valued at !{5199,208,204, while
from 1891 to 1896 it aggregated $267,122,418. By the law of June 4, 1894, the execu-
tive was authorized to grant concessions under certain conditions to those engaged
in the exploitation of gold mines, this industry having increased its production from
$920,702 hi 1890-91 to $4,744,542 in 1894-95, and to $6,054,078 in 1895-96. Tins cal-
culation is made on the basis of $20 silver per ounce of gold, which is the standard
used in the Mexican statistical tables. It is claimed that these figures do not cover
the true production of the gold districts, as almost all the exports of this metal are
shipped clandestinely.
Mints were established in Mexico in 1537, the custom being sometimes followed of
renting them to private individuals, who collected a mintage charge of nearly 4^ per
cent upon the amount of bullion coined. Until within six years ago there were 13
mints in the Republic, but as increased facilities of transportation have reduced the
difficulties attendant upon the carriage of the bullion from mine to mint, this number
has been decreased to 4, 1 being in the City of Mexico, 1 in Guanajuato, 1 in Zaca-
tecas, and 1 in Culiacan. Besides these mints there are Federal assay offices situated
at Aguascalientes, Alamos, Chihuahua, Durango, El Paso (Tex.), Guadalajara, Her-
mosillo, Monterey, Oaxaca, San Luis Potosi, Sierra IMojada, and Zacatecas.
The receipts of precious metals at the Federal assay offices and mints from 1889-90
to 1898-99 were as follows:
Year.
Pure silver.®
Pure gold.®
Kilograms. [ Value.
Kilograms.
Value.
1889-90
632, 935. 879
632, 951. 795
712, 572. 272
772, 636. 696
886,178.076
981,222.111
1 , 314, 849. 340
1,342,931.298
1,496, 969. -102
1,417,216. 194
$24, 814, 965. 28
24, 814, 782. 38
28, 096, 084. 85
30, 383, 428. 66
34, 845, 542. 68
38, 934, 191. 75
53, 797, 060. 63
54,946,033.97
61,248,50:1.08
57,985,400.58
1, 464. 619
1,609. 777
2, 470. 897
2, 8-10. 032
3, 381.733
3, 991. 498
6, 289. 093
5, 788. 694
5, 712. 426
5, 986. -185
$979, 059. 75
1. 089. 702. 32
1 , 657, 716. 98
1,902, 296.43
2. 260. 865. 32
2, 674, 278. 35
4, 247, 759. 83
3, 909, 782. 42
3, 858, 269. 06
4, 043, 373. 70
1890-91
1891-92
1892-93
1893-94
1894-95
1895-96
1896-97
1897-98
1898-99
a From 1889 to 1895 silver was quoted at 8^39.109 per kilogram, and from 1895 on at $10,915. Gold was
quoted during the same periods at 1643.527 and $675. 117 per kilogram, respeetively.
The exports of these metals from the mints and assay offices of the Republic during
the same period were as follows:
Metal.
Kilograms.
Value.
Pure silver
3, 910, 704. 135
29, 705. 125
$160,311,219. 27
20, 064, 066. 03
Pure gold
Total
3,9-10,409 260
180,375,315. 30
NETHERLANDS.
Leg.vtion of the United States,
The Thvjue, January 21, 1901.
Sir: Acting on the instruction of the Department of State advising that answers
to interrogatories 13, 14, 15, and 16 of the circular relating to the coinage and cur-
rency of tlie Netherlands and its colonies in the year 1900 be procured and forwarded
at the earliest date, 1 have the honor to state that there is no gold and silver pro-
duced in this country, and that the answers to questions 14 and 16, relating to the
jiroduction of the precious metals in the Netherlands colonies, shall be forwarded as
promptly as possible.
I nave the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, Stanford Newel.
Hon. George E. Roberts,
Director of the Mint, Treasury Department, Washington, D. C.
PKECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED S'l'ATES.
287
NORWAY.
According to the Stutistique dos Alines et Usines on Norvej^e cn 1896-
1898, the silver produetion ol‘ Norway tor 1898 was 1,802 ki log-rains,
line, of the value of ^>199, 571, corresponding to 161,o56 ounces, line.
United States Alinister Thomas, under date of Alay 16, 1901, says:
At the Kongsber^ Silver Works there was produced from July 1, 181)9, to IMarch
31, 1900, about 4,033 kilograms line silver, which was sold for 290,272 crowns. At
(jther works, as far as is known, there has not been any regular production of any
importance.
If the production from July, 1899, to March, 1900 (nine months), was 4,033 kilo-
grams, in the same ratio the production for the year would be 5,377 kilograms, winch,
in the absence of actual figures for the year, is taken as the estimated ]>roduct.
The value of 5,377 kilograms fine is $223,468, corresponding to 172,839 ounces fine.
The information given below was compiled at this Bureau from
Norwegian official publications.
In the following tables the production of the mines, the export of
silver ores, ‘and the product of Norwegian refineries are given:
1
Production of the mines.
Year.
Crude silver.
Silver-bearing ores.
Refined
product.
Production.
Exports.
1889
Kilograms.
3, 999
Metric tons.
1,632
Metric tons.
348
Kilos, fine.
6,350
1890
3, 966
1,307
368
5, 080
1891
3, 200
1, 274
304
4,680
1892
3, 688
1,117.4
474
4, 810
1893
3, 890
886.5
154
4,770
1891
4,001
746
202
4, 760
1895
3,530
486. 4
137
5, 000
1896
5, 116
521.6
173
4, 664
1897
5,308
637.2
119
5, 372
1898
5, 401
491. 6
79
4, 802
The values of the mining product and the refined product are
in the following table:
given
Year.
Mining
product.
Relined
product.
1889
Croivns.
658,600
621, 000
576. 500
490. 000
433. 500
373. 500
355. 000
400. 000
385. 000
332. 000
Crowns.
605.000
622, 600
560. 000
484. 000
436, 500
380. 000
390. 000
377. 000
480. 000
345.000
1890
1891
1892
1893
1894
1895
1896
1897
1898
There having been no imports of crude silver or silver ores within
the period 1889-1898 the refined product represents wholly silver of
domestic production. There is only one smelting and re lining estab-
lishment, located at Kongsberg and belonging to the State. The opera-
tions of this relinery arc stated in fuller detail for the years 1896-1898
in the following table:
Crude silver.
Silver ores.
Total fine
Smelted.
Fine
product.
Smelted.
Fine
product.
product.
Kilograms.
6, 196. 036
5, 579. 695
5, 401. 110
Kilograms.
3, 128. 950
3,831.270
3, 325. 600
Kilograms.
325,056
352,433
452,340
Kilograms.
1,534. 950
1,540.693
1,476. 150
Kilograms.
4,662
5, 372
4,804
288
PEEOIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
The average annual product of the Kongsberg works within the pre-
ceding three quinquennial periods is given in the following table:
Annual average — Kilograms.
1881-1885 6,265
1886-1890 6,077
1891-1895 4,804
GOLD.
The production of gold in Norway is insignilicant, as appears from
the following table:
Year.
Weight.
Value.
1889
Kilograms.
Crowns.
33.000
43,300
24.000
36, 500
22. 000
3,600
8,000
35,000
2, 500
5,700
1890
1891
1892
1893
1894
1895
189(5
14. 26
1897
1.27
1898 :
2.86
IMPORTS AND EXPORTS IN 1899.
No gold or silver bullion was exported in 1899. The imports for the
year were as follows:
Kilogram.s.
Crowns.
Gold bullion
Silver bullion
1.1
102.1
1,700
8, 100
The exports of silver ore amounted to 11.160 kilograms, valued at
3,600 crowns. — (Statistique des Mines et Usines en Norvege en 1896-
1898, pp. 1, 2, 6, 11-19; Statistique du Commerce de la Noi’vege
pendant Pannee 1899, pp. 26, 53, 55, 56.)
PERSIA.
Legation of the United States of America,
Teheran, Fehraary 6, 1901.
Sir: In reply to yonr circular, dated January 2, 1901, 1 beg to inform you, in con-
nection with your interrogatories Nos. 18, 14, 15, and 16, that no gold or silver was
])ro(Uiced from the mines of Persia during the year 1900. Persia at the present time
lias no colonial territory under her jurisdiction, consequently she has received neither
gold nor silver from such a source. I uiay, however, add for your information that
gold in small (juantities is collected from certain irrigation streams in the neighl)or-
hood of this city, inixtid with the alluvial deposits brought from certain slightly
auriferous areas in the immediate vicinity of the locality where it is found. As the
(piantity produced from this source is very small, no notice is taken of it by the Gov-
ernment surveyors, and so it does not apjiear in any rejiort on the subject.
I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient servant,
IIerrert W. Bowen,
Minister Resident, etc.
Hon. George E. Korerts,
Director of the Mint, Washington, D. C.
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
289
PERU.
Mr. Neill, secretary of the legation of the United States at Lima,
Peru, has forwarded this Bureau a condensed report by Prof. E.
Habich, director of the Lima school of mines, in which he sji3's that
the silver production in Peru for 1898 was somewhere between 1()0,000
and 170,000 kilograms. This Bureau accepts the average of these
amounts, i. e., 165,000 kilograms and accordingly corrects the esti-
mated product for that year.
The 165,000 kilograms, tine, equals $6, 857,400, representing 5,303,770
ounces, tine.
The bureau of statistics at Lima estimates the gold and silver prod-
uct for 1899 at 1,295 kilograms, tine, for gold, and 203,000 kilograms,
tine, for silver. The estimate of Professor Habich gives only 1,250
kilograms for gold, which is the official figure for the metallic product,
and evidently takes no account of the gold contents of exported ores.
His estimate of the silver product falls considerably short of the offi-
cial figure. On the other hand, Mr. Alejandro Garland, the noted
Peruvian expert, accepts the official figures in an article reproduced
in condensed form on a following page.
This Bureau accepts the figures of the Lima bureau of statistics.
The gold product is accordingly valued at $860,657, representing 41,634
ounces fine, and the silver product at $8,436,680 (United States coining
value), corresponding to 6,525,245 ounces, fine.
Mr. Dudley, United States minister at Lima, estimates the product
of gold for 1900 at 1,815 kilograms, of a value of £223,000, and the
product of silver at 265,700 kilograms, fine, valued at £929,500.
The value of the gold product for 1900 (£223,000) is equivalent to
$1,085,230, corresponding to 52,498 ounces, or 1,633 kilograms, tine.
The value of the silver product is given at £929,500, equivalent to
$4,523,412 commercial value, which, at $0.62 per ounce, fine, would
give 7,295,825 ounces, fine, of a coining value of $9,432,986, represent-
ing 226,973 kilograms, fine.
Legation of the United vStates,
Lima, December 22, 1900.
Sir; With reference to various communications which have passed from this lega-
tion to the Peruvian chancellery regarding the gold aiid silver production of Peru
for the year 1899, as requested by you, I have the honor to herewith inclose for your
information a copy and translation of a report from Prof. E. Habich, director of the
Lima school of mines, accompanied by a copy and translation of a note from Dr. Felipe
de Osma, the minister for foreign affairs, which this legation has at this late date just
received.
Respectfully, yours,
Rich.vrd R. Neill
Hon. George E. Roberts,
Director of the Mint, Washington, D. C.
[Translation.]
Foreign Office, Lima, December 21, 1900.
Mr. Charge d’affaires: In view of the note which the legation of the United
States addressed to this ministry (or department), under date of August 31 last, the
director of the administrative department of the department of finance asked for
12066— 01 19
290
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
infonnation from the special school of civil and mining construction, and this estab-
lishment has transmitted the report, of which 1 inclose herein an exact copy.
I have the honor to reiterate to your honor the assurances of my highest esteem.
Fklipk ue Osma.
Sefior RiciiAKi) R. Neill,
Charge d’ Affaires of the United Slates of America.
[Tnuisliition.]
The Director of the Administrative Department
OF THE Department of Finance:
In the report presented hy the school to your department under date of August 1 3
last you will find set down with certain probability of correctness the total amount
of the gold obtained in 1899. As mentioned in that respect, in view of the absence
of sufficiently reliable statistics and also in consequence of the facility for all kinds
of contraband operations on account of the high value of the article and the very
small space it occupies, it is extremely difficult to determine the real amount of the
])roducUon with the requisite exactitude. The quantities expressed in the said report
indicate 1,250 kilograms as the approximate iiroduction of gold in 1899.
With regard to the value, as the legal coin of to-day in Peru is the gold “iiound,”
equal in weight and standard to the English “pound sterling,” we may consider the
value of each kilogram as about £136.375, and consequently estimate, in round num-
bers, the value of the 1,250 kilograms as £180,719.
With respect to the pioduction of silver, this school, in the rejiort asked for through
the foreign office by the British Government under date of November 29 last, ])ut
this down at somewhere between 160,000 to 170,000 kilograms during the year 1898.
In calculating the iiroduction for 1899 a reduction must be made, owing to the stop-
jiage of work in many mines, especially in the mining district of Cerro de Pasco,
which is the most important center of production.
The probable figure which we may adopt for the production in 1899 of fine silver
in bars, in suljihurets, and ores exported is somewhere about 150,000 kilograms.
As regards the commercial value in Lima of the kilogram of fine silver, it must bo
borne in mind that almost the whole amount is exported, consequently the jirice rules
in accordance witli the (juotations received for the ounce, Troy, in London, taking
into consideration the charges for freight, insurance, commission, etc.
As during 1899 the price in Lima of the mark of I’eruvian silver has ruled between
8.60s. and 9s., these figures fix for the kilogram of fine silver the price of 37.50s. to
39,33s.; that is to say, about £3.75 to £3.933.
E. IIarich.
Lima, September 26, 1900.
Correct.
A. Ulloa,
Chief Clerk of the Foreign Office.
[From Moiitlily Bulletin of the Bureau of American Reimblicis, May, 1901.]
Tlie bureau of statistics at Lima has recent ly published some interesting data con-
cerning mining statistics.
In 1899 the production of bullion was as follows: .
Mehil.
Weight.
Value.
Gold
Kilograms.
1,250
09, 044
202, 533
Soles.
1, 175, 000
2, 07, S, 9.59
98, 708
Sil s’tir
.Argentiferous lead
The output of ores, concentrates, and other mineral jiroducts in the Riqiublic in
1899 was as follows:
Metal.
Weight.
Value.
Gold
Kilograms.
11,338
14,840,304
2, 021 , 881
100, 994
Soles.
:12, 030
3, 153, 101
1,173,870
91,679
Silver '
Argentiferous eoi>per ■.
Argentiferous lead
PUKClUUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
291
The Governivient estiiiuitea tliese orew to ooutain 1,295 kilograms of })ure gold and
203,000 kilograms of pure silver. Since the adoption of the gold standanl in Peru a
considerable (puintity of gold bullion has gone to the mints to he coined into money.
All of the silver produced, however, except that employed in the arts, has been
exported.
The followino- lio-ures tiro tukeii from the puoiieution of the National
iniiio- Society
of 1
erti:
Pkoduction of Peku, 1899.
[Cmulenseit from an article by Mr. Alejandro Garland, in Boletin de la Sociedad Nacional de Mineria,
December 31, WOO, pp. 440—116.]
Description.
Weight.
Value (10
soles=£l).
^fcUillic product-s;
Gold bullion
Kilof/ralns.
1,250.000
69, 044. 832
202, 533. 000
•203, 193. 060
76. 500
11,338.000
14,840,304.000
2,6'21,881.000
106, 994. 000
Soles.
1,175,000.00
2, 678, 959. 85
98, 70.S. 19
1,736,782.58
4, 920. 00
32, 030. 12
3,1.53,101.46
1, 173, 876. 42
91, 679. 00
Silver bullion
Argentiferon.s lead
Silver sulphides
Auriferous zinc
Ores:
Gold
Silver i-;
.\rgcntiferous copper
Argentiferous Ictid
From these ti^Tires the (jiiaiitities of tine ^old and silv^er, including'
the tine gold and silv^er content, s of exported ores, are estimated as
follows:
Kilograms.
Gold P295
Silver 203,000
Exports in 1899.
[Exclusive of coin.]
Descrii)tion.
Weight.
Value.
Metallic products:
Gold bullion
Kiiogrnms.
17. 143
67, 544. 832
202. 533. 000
203, 193. 066
76. 500
11,338.000
14,840,303.000
2,6'21,881.000
106. 994. 000
Soles.
17, 189. 50
2, 618, 959. 85
98,708.19
1, 736, 782. 58
4, 9'20. 00
32,030.12
3,153,101.46
1,173,876.42
91,679.38
Silver bullion
Argentiferous lead .*
Argentiferous sulphides
Auriferous zinc
Ores:
Gold
Silver
Argentiferous copper
Argentiferous lead
It appears from the foregoing taftles that all the ores mentioned
therein were exported, as well as the argentiferous lead, silv^er sulphides,
and auriferous zinc. Of the metallic products, all gold hullion, except
a small quantity (1.38 per cent of the product of 1899), remained in the
country.
Of the 1,232.857 kilograms of gold, the difference between the pro-
duction and exports, according to the customs statistics, there was
coined in 1899 at the national mint 296.893 kilograms, leaving a balance
of 936.261 kilograms, of the value of £31,505.16, partly for consump-
tion in the industrial arts, partly held in reserve for coinage in 1900,
which far exceeded that of the year 1899, and partly exported clandes-
tinely to evade the })ayment of the export duty of 3 per cent.
292
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
WitK the suspension of silver coinage since the adoption of the gold
standard all silver bullion produced in 1899 was exported, except so
much as was consumed in the industrial arts, which ma}^ be reasonabl}'^
estimated at 1,500 kilograms, considering that silver coin is preferably
melted for the purpose.
Thus the total production for 1899 is shown to be an estimate obtained
by adding to the quantity exported an allowance for domestic consump-
tion, amounting to 2.22 per cent of the exports.
PORTUGAL.
Our minister at Lisbon advises this Bureau that the Portuguese mint
is unable to furnish information on the production of the precious
metals in that country. Customs statistics record no exports of gold
or silver ore. A study of impoid and export figures relating to gold
and silver coin and bullion since 1861, made at this Bureau last year
(see Report, p. 327), failed to disclose any positive indication as to the
production of gold and silver. For these reasons the figures for 1898,
reproduced from Mines and Quarries and La Statistique de I’lndustrie
Minerale, arc repeated without alteration, upon the authority of those
publications.
RUSSIA.
United States Ambassador Tower gives the official hgures of the
gold and silver production for 1900 as follows:
Gold, 1,850 poods 18 pounds 69 zolotniks 76 dolyi, to the value of
39,150,101 rubles 6 copecks. This is equivalent to 30,312 kilograms
tine, or 971,537 ounces, representing i^20, 115,166.
Silver, 272 poods 5 pounds 27 zolotniks 81 dol}!, to the value of
217,700 rubles 82 copecks. It is found by computation that the latter
sum represents the Russian coining value of the stated quantit}^ of tine
silver. This is equivalent to 1,158 kilograms, or 113,299 ounces, tine,
of a coining value of $185,275.
'tyVBUi.AR Statement ok the Pkoihtction of the Pkeciohs Me'i'als in 1899 and 1900.
Year.
Kilograms
fine.
Ounces
line.
Coining
value.
Cold;
1899
33, 354
1,972,333
974, 537
$22, 167, 100
20, 146, 466
1900
30,312
Silver:
1899
4, 196
4,458
134,887
143, 299
174,400
1900
185, 275
THE OOI.I) MINES OF SIBERIA.
, Chester Wei,i,r I’ukington.
[From The Engineering Magazine, September, U)01, p. 891.]
[Wittiin very recent years only has Russia begun to attract even a fraction of the
interest her wonderful engineering and industrial })ossihilities deserve. How keen
that newly awakened interest is is proved by the remarkable attention given to Mr.
Ford’s series on “Engineering Oiiportunities in the Russian Empire,” recently con-
cluded in this magazine, Mr. Purington takes uji another side of the subject and
gives a startling, almost sensational, view of the enormous gold wealth in Siberia
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
293
waiting only for intelligent development. And thid striking account is l>y a man
thoroughly familiar with the held from four professional jouiau'ys. — Tuk Editoks.]
Twenty-tive million dollars in gold is annually produced and put in cinailation
by the miners who oj)crate in the little-known regions of eastern Russia and Siberia.
To many this fact will doubtless come as more or less of a surju'ise. For some
reason, while Africa, Australia, South America, and Alaska have received a large
sluu’e of the world’s attention during the pa.«t fifty years, the va.st territory of (*entral
ami northern Asia has remained unnoticed and unexplored.
*******
In the first place let us consider what is the gold-bearing area of Siberia. Divided
info five districts, the auriferous areas in Siberia are as follows:
Square miles.
Ural district (lying partly in Siberia and partly in eastern Russia) 60,000
A'enisei district 280,000
Trans-Baikal district (south) 20,000
Trans-Baikal district (north) 160,000
Amoor district 360, 000
Total gold-l)eariug area 880, 000
As compared witii these figures, the gold-bearing areas of the United States are
seen in the following table:
Square mile.s.
California 15,000
Rocky Mountain district, including Nevada and South Dakota 180,000
Appalachian district 10, 000
Alaska districts 60, 000
Total gold-bearing area 265, 000
In other words, the gold-bearing area of the United States is but little over five
times the area of New A"ork State, while that of Siberia is over eighteen times as
great.
*******
Placer gold, or gold found in stream deposits which overlie the gold-bearing quartz
veins, has been and is to-day the source of the Siberian product. From the time
when the Russians first commenced to exploit the Siberian deposits, during the reign
of Catherine II, there has been but little change or improvement in the mining
methods.
The prevailing characteristic of the Slav, which may be described rather as con-
servative activity than as sloth, has caused him to adhere strenuously, one may almost
say religiously, to the methods pursued by his ancestors. Placer gold was the first
variety found by the early miners. In tlie history of all mining countries it has
been the placer gold which first attracted attention. In California and Australia,
however, to take two notable instances, mechanical methods of handling the gravels
in which the gold occurs were an almost immediate consequent upon the finding of
the deposits. To such a point of excellence was the hydraulic method of placer
mining brought in California that bodies of gravel carrying but 2 cents to the cubic
yard in gold were profitably handled and their values extracted.
While the Californian and Au.stralian ])lacer miners rapidly improved their methods
of operating and increased their daily product, the Siberian made no changes. It is
a most remarkable statement, but one vouched for by observers who have at different
times traversed the country, that i)recisely the same types of gold-washing machines
which were in use in Siberia before the discovery of gold in California are in use
to-day in the gold mines of the Lena and Amoor rivers. Such innovations or
improvements as have been made are so few in number and so insignificant in
results as to be scarcely worthy of mention. A short description ot the typical washing
machine in use in Siberia at the present day may serve to give an idea of the very
primitive methods employed.
A platform set on a staging of rough logs is erected to a height of 25 feet above the
ground. The platform is 12 feet in width, and built sufficiently strong to support the
weight of several small carts loaded with gravel with accompanying man and horses
at the same time.
An incline with gentle grade leads from the bottom of the gravel bank which is
being worked to the top of the platform. Water sufficient for washing the gravel is
either led to the to{> of the structure from some point higher up the stream, or raised
to the required lev’el by means of a centrifugal jtump, generally of small capacity. A
294
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
hopper at the end of the platform opens directly into a horizontally revolving (cylin-
drical screen, through the holes in which the gold and line material is allowed to i>ass
directly on to sluice tables, while the large stones fall from the lower end of the screen
into a large Inn, whence they are carted away. The actual saving of the gold on sluice
tables is done much in the fashion of American placer mining, although the operations
are performed generally in a careless manner which allows most of the finely divided
gold to escape. From the time when the gravel is dug from the bank with j)ick and
shovel, hauled up the long incline in carts holding a quarter of a cubic yard, and
dumped into the hopper, the operation involves the labor of men and horses entirely,
with no mechanical assistance. The rocks and worthless gravel called “tailings ” are
also gotten rid of entirely by hand laV)or in most cases, although at some mines vari-
ous forms of elevators of small capacity are used.
The result is that the Siberian placer miner expends a large share of his working
cost for the hand labor involved in his operation. He never attempts to work gravels
where the tenor is less than 33 cents to the cubic yard in gold. Besides this, his
daily product is necessarily small. I know of no single machine of the kind described
above whose capacity exeeds 500 cubic yards in twenty-four hours. One proprietor
with whose operations I am familiar, in order to attain a product of $800,000 ]>er
annum in gold, uses 2,000 men and over 500 horses. The amount of gravel handled
during the year is very nearly 1,200,000 cubic yards, and the cost of his oj)erations
amounts to three-quarters of the value of the gold produced. From thirty-live to
forty machines of the type above described are in use on this property, and besides
these there are countless small operations conducted by peasant “ tributers.” The
ground worked in this expensive and laborious manner is in no way different from
gravel mines in the United States, where the handling and washing of the material is
(lone entirely by means of steam excavators and conveyors.
The work done by the enormous body of men and animals quoted above would
require only live American steam shovels or land dredges, with suitable machinery
for washing the gravel, saving the gold, and disposing of the debris. The service of
perhaps sixty men would be necessary, and engine and boiler capacity up to 600
horsepower. The entire running and administration expenses would amount to
something less than 15 cents per cubic yard of material handled, as against 50 cents
by the Siberian method.
Did space permit, the citation of statistics from the Siberian operations might be
indefinitely prolonged ; but the above figures are sufficient to show by what slow and
primitive means the annual twenty-five million dollar product of Siberia is obtained.
I wish to emphasize especially the fact that this is almost entirely ol)tained from
gold-bearing gravels, or superficial deposits, and that with very few exceptions no
attempts have been made to work the quartz reefs lying underneath. In most local-
ities these have not been even looked for, and Avhen found by accident they have
rarely been tested to ascertain the amount of their auriferous contents. A few quartz
mills are in operation in the Ural Mountains, which are, with one exce]Aion, anti-
quated in construction and extremely inefiicient in operation.
Deep mining, in the American sense of the term, is almost unknown in Siberia.
So far as I know, there is not a shaft in any gold-quartz mine in the country which
exceeds 500 feet in de])th, nor is there a tunnel 1,000 feet long. When this sort of
mining activity is compared with that which has recently existed on the South
African Rand deposits, or with that of the great Comstock lode, where more than 100
miles of shafts and tunnels were driven on the vein in a single year, the reasons for
such startling contrast appear worthy of some investigation. That gold-bearing veins
warrant extensive mining and milling operations exist in Siberia is beyond question.
During the (‘ourse of examination of Siberian gold de])osits, extending over a period
of fifteen months, I have seen lod(;s in ifiany j)arts of the country which, if worked,
would pay large returns. An Aiheri(ain company which has established a small
gold mill in the trans- Baikal district, to the southwest of Irkutsk, reports extremely
favorable results of its operations. Mr. F. D. Uevat, a French mining engineer who
has explortid the country along the Onon River, near the Mongolian frontier, speaks
highly of it as a quartz-mining c.ountry, at the same time condemning in strong
terms the slovenly Silx'rian mills which have been installed tlnwe. In the Achinsk
district of Siberia, lying to the west of the Yenisei River and about 100 miles
to the south of the trans-Siberian railroad, 1 went with a party of four other Ameri-
cans to visit the mines of a lartre Siberian ])roprietor. This gentleman, much more
progressive than his neighbors, has recently installed a Krupp gold mill of modern
f)attern at a (piartz mine which he has lately discovered. On arriving at the mine
after a long “tarantass” drive, followed by a horseback journey over one of the foot-
hills of the Altai Mountains, we looked about with no small degree of curiosity. We
followed our host uj) tlui gulch to the mine workings, and, entering one of the pros-
pect tunnels, |)roc('(Mled to examine the one
The wall rock of the vein apjK'ared to lu' full of littU' (u-ystals of iron suljdiide, and
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE PNITET) STATES.
295
on closer inspection particles of gold were visible. The finding of free gold in the
rock, away from the (piartz of the vein, was rather extraordinary, and it in some
measure jn-eparcd us for the appearance of the (juartz in the face of the drift. Here,
hy candlelight, on the face of quartz 8 feet in width, api)cared wire-like strings and
masses of native gold extending in lines more or less parallel to the walls from top
to bottom of the drift, which was about 6 feet high. Such an uni)recedented display
warranted the opinion that here was the prize “ specimen mine” of the workl, or
that Siberians were past masters in the art of “salting.” More was to come, how-
ever. In no less than six o])enings on this vein, all following it from oO to 200 feet
in the mountain side, we were shown these marvellous exliil)itions of free gold.
Blasts of |)Owder were put in wherever we directed. Specimens were taken from
the fresh fat-e, beaten up in mortars, and panned. In every case gold was found,
often at the rate of hundreds of dollars to the ton. Salting appeared out of the ques-
tion, and a subsequent examination of the vein along a course of 700 feet showed the
free gold already found in the tunnels. By an exhibition of his government record
hooks, kept hy order of the mining department to accomj)any the consignments of
gold turned in to the agents of the St. Petersburg mint, the owner proved to us that
he had in four months’ time taken over $50,000 from this vein, crushing only 18
tons of ore a day.
That the deposit described above is not of an exceptional character in Siberia could
he proven hy the citation of numerous examples. It is sufficient to show, however,
that where sensible and business-like mining operations have been undertaken they
have met with success. By means of the railroad central Siberia is now much easier
of access than are portions of the United States, and the rates of transportation for
both passengers and merchandise are extraordinarily low. Large cities, provided
with first-class hotels and possessing all the luxuries of civilized life, are numerous.
The climate is remarkably healthful and enjoyable, tire winters, generally thought
of as unbearable Iry persons ignorant of the country, being considered by all those
who liave experienced them the most enjoyalrle time of the year. Gold mines in
the mountains of Colorado are operated the year round under conditions of climate
far more inclement.
*******
SERVIA.
United States Viee Consul-General Vog-el, at Belgrade, reports that
Servia produces neither gold nor silver.
SPAIN.
The following information relative to the production of gold and
silver in Spain was forwarded this Bureau through the United States
minister at Madrid.
The gold produced by the mines of the country in the year 1900 consisted of LS,281
grams, of a money value at the factory of 43,827 pesetas. The silver produced in
the mines of the country consisted of 99,095 kilograms, of a monetary value at the
factory of 11,772,1.30 pesetas.
Taking the weight of the altove as fine weight, Spam produced in
1900, 13 kilograms of line gold of a value of ^^8,01:0, corresponding to
418 ounces, fine; and 99,095 kilograms of fine silver of a coining value
of Jt^4,118,388, representing 3,185,316 ounces, fine.
Ministry op State,
Madrid, April SS, 1901.
Excellency: Supplementing the note of this ministry dated the 23d (21st) ultimo,
I have the honor to transmit to your excellency, inclosed herewith, the answers of
the ministrv of agriculture, industr}q and commerce, to (juestions 13, 15, and the lat-
ter })ortion of question 29 of the circular which accompanied the note of your excel-
lency of the 21st of January.
I jirofit this occasion to renew to your excellency the assurances of my most dis-
tinguished consideration.
.1. Perez Caralleko.
His Excellency Mr. Bellamy Storer,
Envoy Exlraordinnini and Minivtrr Jlcnipntrnliary
of tin’ Vnited StatcH of Anurica.
296
PEECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
[Translation.]
Ministry of State.
To question No. 13: That the gold produced by the mines of tlie country in the
year 1900 consisted of 13,281 grams, of a money value at the factory of 43,827
pesetas.
To question No. 15: That the silver produced in the mines of the country in the
year 1900 consisted of 99,095 kilograms, of a monetary value at the factory of 11,772,130
pesetas.
To the second part of question No. 29, as the first properly falls within the province
of the mint: That every year the direccion-general of agriculture, industry, and com-
merce publishes a memorial on the mining statistics, with the compilation of which
this inspeccion-general is at present engaged, but it being still the beginning of the
year 1901, there has as yet only been time for the collection of data from the mine
ow’ners by the chief engineers of the different districts and the transmission of them
to this department, from which the data above given has been taken, it having been
as yet impossible to complete the schedules, statistics, and other recapitulations which
will shortly be sent to the printer.
A correct copy. J. Perez Caballero.
The following is condensed from the Anuario de la Mineria,
Metalurg'ia y Electricidad de Espana, for 1901, edited b}" Don Adri-
ano Contreras, mining- engineer and professor at the school of mines
of Madrid.
The information is obtained b}' communication with the producers
and from the records of the director-general of customs.
The total product of silver bars from the relineries amounted to
94,507 kilograms. To this are added the line silver contents of argen-
tiferous lead exported abroad, estimating the same at the rate of
kilograms of fine silver per ton of argentiferous lead, which gives
89,355 kilograms, making a total of 183,802 kilograms in 1900 as
against 169,451 kilograms in 1899, an increase of 14,411 kilograms.
This does not include the line silver contents of ores exported
abroad, for which no estimate is made.
The export of silver bullion in 1900 amounted to 85,281 kilograms;
that is to say, more than 90 per cent of the silver product of refineries
was exported. The exports of silver-bearing lead are given in the
following table:
Comp<wition.
1899.
1900.
Argentiferous lead .
Argentiferous galena
To71S.
(58, 955
7,041
Tuns.
71,432
3,524
(Anuario de la Mineria, etc., Espana, 1901, pp. 113, 125-127.)
THE MINING INDUSTRY OF SPAIN.
[From the Board of Trade Journal, London, May 30, 1901, p. 482.]
His Majesty’s con.sul at Corunna, reporting on the mining industry in Spain
(Foreign Ottice, Annual Series, 2586), states that tlie arsenical gold iiyrites of his
district contain an average of about 20 per cent arsenic and from 10 to 16 dwts. of
gold to the ton. The misjuckel of Cornwall contains no gold and only 8 per cent of
arsenic, and it is well known that these mines are the most paying and prosperous in
Cornwall.
Several mines of cjuartz, carrying free gold, have been taken up in the province of
Lugo, Init so far capital has been lacking to develop them.
Several gravel or alluvial concessions on the Kio Sil to the gold-bearing properties
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
297
of the sand, of which attention was drawn in the Foreign Oflice IVTiscellaneoua Report
No. 588, of September 13, 1900, have been taken up, and it is said that orders liave
been given for the sup})ly of dredging and washing plants to deal with the gold-
bearing sand.
The principal concessions are the “ Placer de Rio Sil,” Societe Anonynie of Brus-
sels, with a capital of £60,000, the Valdeorras (lold Mining Company of London.
The gravel or sand of the Rio Sil contains, according to English and Belgian ex-
perts, 1 gram, or 15.43 grains per cubic metei\ and as the cost of working is about
5(1. per cubic meter, these companies should do well.
Mr. A. E. Carleton, consular agent at Almeria, reports to the State
Department, under date of August 29, 1901, upon the authority of
the mineral statistics for 1900, published the Spanish department
of agriculture and commerce, that the production of argentiferous
lead in 1900 amounted to 121,435 tons, valued at $3,110.1:53.4:5.
SWEDEN.
United States Minister Thomas reports that the product of gold in
Sweden in 1900 was 88.5 kilograms and silver 1,928.3 kilograms. This
gives a value of $58,817, representing 2,815 ounces, fine, for the gold,
and a value of $80,110, corresponding to 61,983 ounces, tine, for the
silver product.
[From Bidrag Till Sveriges Ofliciela Statistik. Bergshandteringen. Kommerskollegii Underdaniga
Beriittelse, 1899, p. XIV.]
The following is compiled from the annual report of the department of commerce
to the King on the state of mining for-the year 1899 (the latest published):
GOLD.
The refined product for the year 1899 amounted to 106.245 kilograms, of an esti-
mated value of 263,263 crowns. Of this quantity, 101.140 kilograms were Avon from
co[)per ores and the rest from lead and silver ores. The production of former years
is given in the following table:
Period.
Annual
averages.
Period.
Annual
averages.
1861-1865 .
Kilograms.
14. 895
8. 232
5.133
5. 776
1881-1885
Kilograms.
24. 796
77. 577
93. 895
1866-1870
1886-1890
1871-1875
1891-1895
1876-1880
Year.
Annual
production.
Year.
Annual
production.
1894
Kilograms.
93.603
85. 291
114.529
1897
Kilograms.
113. 318
125. 937
106. 245
1895
1898
1896
1899
SILVER.
The refined product for the year 1899 amounted to 2,290.3 kilograms, of the
Swedish coining value of 160,783 crowns. The production of former years is given
in the following table:
Period.
Annual
averages.
Period.
Annual
averages.
1861-1865
Kilograms.
1.128.9
1,185.3
779.9
1.116.9
1881-1885 1
Kilograms.
1 . 713. 0
4, 254. 2
3. 478. 1
1866-1870
1886-1890
1871-1875
1891-1895
1876-1880
298
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
Year.
Annual
production.
1894
Kilograms.
2, 869. 5
1,188.0
1895
1890
2, 082. 3
Year.
Annual
production.
1897
Kilograms.
2,218.2
2, 032. 9
2, 290. 3
1898
1899
* SWITZERLAND.
Legation of the United States,
Berne, Jamiary 21, 1901.
Sir: An early reply being requested to interrogatories 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18 in
the circular of the Treasury Department dated January 2, 1901, I have the honor
to report that Switzerland has no gold or silver mines and that there is no output of
these metals from the refineries of this country.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
.loiiN G. A. Leishman.
Honorable Director of the Mint.
TURKEY.
Minister Leishman, at Constantinople, writes:
As far as is known there are no gold mines at work in the Empire, and no statistics
are available in reganl to the ])roduction of the silver-lead mines. The proportion of
silver is not likely to be considerable.
The report of the director of the French mint for 1901 contains, on
page 252, the following table:
Production of the Precious Metals.
Year.
Gold.
Silver.
Weight.
Value.
Weight.
Value.
1893
Kilograms.
13
12
8
10.7
21.9
21
Francs.
44, 240
38, 010
26, 595
35, 497
73,457
72, 300
Kilograms.
‘ 7, 165
7, 809
10,208
7,007
7,110
4,422
Francs.
740, 167
809, 872
884,415
743, 445
516,254
982, 500
1894
1895
1896
1897
1898
The product for 1898 is given in fine weight. The 21 kilogi-ams rep-
resents a value in gold of $113,957, corresponding to 675 ounces, tine,
and the 4,422 kilograms of silver a coining value of $188,778, corre-
sponding to 142,141 ounces, tine.
The product for 1899 and 1900 is assumed to have been the same as
for 1898.
URUGUAY.
Minister Finch, at Montevideo, rex)orts that there was produced in
llrugua>' in 1899 61,336 gi’ams of gold in the rough state, which
contains fi’om 65 to 70 per cent pure gold and 30 to 35 per cent pure
silver, lie also reports the product for 1900, which was 71,234 grams,
at a commercial value of $31,342.96.
The mean percentage of gold and silver contained in this rough
product would lie for gold 67i and foi- silver 32^ per cent, upon which
the estimate for 1899 is based, and gives gold 41.4 kilograms, tine, of
I’RECIOUS METALS TN THE UNITED STATES.
299
a value of ti^27,51-:lr, roprcsentin<»’ 1,331 ounces, tine; silver, 20 kilo-
j>Tains, tine, of a value of $831, eorrespondin^' to (U3 ounces, tine.
For 1900 both the weight and value of the gold product are given.
As the crude gold is stated to be associated with silver, it is possible to
compute (by means of two equations) the gold and silver contents of
the bullion. Taking silver at the average rate of 62 cents per ounce
for 1900, we obtain a gold product of 1,-192 ounces, line, and a silver
product of 798 ounces, tine, which corresponds to 3-1.8 per cent of the
crude weight and agrees with the estimate of the Uruguay depart-
ment of engineers for the previous year.
'Phis is equivalent to -tO kilograms of gold and 25 kilograms of
silver, representing, respectively, $30,8-42 and $1,032, United States
coining value, equal, at the above rate, to $501 commercial value.
The official correspondence whereon the foregoing calculation is
based is given below :
Legation op the United States,
Montexrideo, October 18, 1900.
Sir: I inclose you herewith copy and translation of a communication from the
minister for foreign affairs of Uruguay, dated the 12th and delivered on the 15th of
the current month, inclosing certified copy of the report of the department of
engineers, stating the amount of gold and silver mined in the country in 1899.
This communication is in response to mine of February 26, 1900, asking for the
information herewith transmitted.
I also inclose copy and translation of the certified copy of the report of the depart-
ment of engineers mentioned above.
Respectfully,
William R. Finch.
Hon. John Hay,
Secretary of State, Washington.
[Inclosuro A. — Translation.]
Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Montevideo, October 13, 1900.
Mr. Minister: In addition to my note of the 8th March last, I have the honor to
inclose your excellency, with the interrogatory you forwarded to me, a certified copy
of the report returned by the national department of engineers on the production of
gold and silver in this country during the year 1899.
With this motive I am pleased to renew to your excellency the assurance of my
high consideration.
Manuel Herrero y Espinosa.
His Excellency William R. Finch,
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotcnliary of North America.
[Inclosnrc B. — Translation.]
Ministry op Foreign Affairs,
National Department of Engineers (Industrial Section) and of Mines,
Montevideo, October 4, 1900.
Mr. Minister: For the reasons explained in my note of this date it has been
impossilile for me to return a report on this document before now. Of the 30 questions
contained in the inclosed interrogatory, this section can only answer those numbered
13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18.
Question No. 13. The number of kilograms of fine gold extracted from our mines
can not be expresssed because gold is exported without being refined. It is only
known that gold in the rough state contains from 65 to 70 per cent of fine gold, and
that in the yiiar 1899 5,119,760 kilograms of auriferous quartz were taken from the
300
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
mines of Cufiapiru (Department of Rivera), from wliich were extracted 61,336
grams of gold in its rough state. This contains from 30 to 35 ])cr cent of silver.
Questions Nos. 14 and 16. This country has no colonies.
Question No. 15. No silver mines are worked.
Questi(jus Nos. 17 and 18. No gold or silver refineries exist in the country.
This is all I have to report.
F. Michaelsson.
It is a true copy.
Oscar HordeSana. Chief Clerk.
Legation of the United States,
Montevideo, August 15, 1901.
Dear Sir; I inclose you herewith copy and translation of a communication of the
minister for foreign affairs of Uruguay, transmitting answers from the director of the
industrial and mining section, or branch of the national department of engineers, to
interrogatories 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18. Also copy of the engineer’s report.
The printed circular from the United States, which contains the interrogatories
herein answered, is dated January 2, 1901.
Very truly, yours.
William R. Finch.
The Director of the Mint,
Washington, 1>. C.
[Translation.]
Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Montevideo, August 5, 1901.
Mr. Minister: In addition to the note of this ministry, dated February 25 last,
I have the honor to inclose your excellency, together with the interrogatory whit h
vou sent on the 11th of said month, a certified copy of the report issued by the
Industrial and mining section of the national department of engineers on coinage of
gold, silver, etc., in the Republic.
On this occasion I have the pleasure to renew to your excellency the assurance
of my high consideration.
German Roosen.
His Excellency Mr. William R. Finch,
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of North America.
[Translation.]
Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
National Department of Engineers, Industrial and Mining Section,
. Montevideo, July 29, 1901.
, Mr. Director: The only questions which this section can answer are those con-
tained in Nos. 13 to 18, inclusive, and does so in the following form:
13. The number of kilograms of fine gold extracted from the mines can not be
expressed, for the reason tliat there are no gold refineries in tlie country. The gold
in its rough state extracted from the mines in the year 1900 weighed 71,234 trrams,
and its commercial value is $31,342.96.
14 and 16. This country has no colonies.
15. No silver mines are being worked in the country.
17. “ Output of gold from the refineries of the country ” answered in No. 13.
18. There are no silver refineries.
F. Michaelsson.
It is a true copy.
Miguel A. Flaugiui.
VENEZUELA.
Minister Loomis reports no production of the precious metals in
Venezuela for 1900. The Statistique de Flndustrie Minerale gives
the gold product for 1899 at 893 kilograms, tine. This represents a
value of l|593,488, corresponding to 28,710 ounces, line.
This product is repeated for 1900.
P^KT III.
GENERAL STATISTICS.
301
802
PKECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
1. — Deposits and Pukchases of Gold and Silvek dv Weight
COINAGE MINTS.
ASSAY OKFICSIS.
Philadel-
phia
San Fran-
cisco.
New Orleans.
New York.
Denver.
GOLD.
Domestic bullion, unrefined . . .
Domestic bullion, refinery b^irs.
Stand, ozs.
6, 828. 523
Stand, ozs.
231, 593. 542
Stand, ozs.
391. 972
Stand, ozs.
346, 696. 365
531,003.895
1, 233, 731. 825
Stand, ozs.
229, 436. 250
446, 601. 350
305, 279. 644
Domestic bullion, refined
Total domestic bullion . .
Domestic coin, mutilated and
abraded
Domestic coin. Treasury trans-
fers
1, 309, 259. 664
0, 828. 523
6, 152. 491
30, 988. 500
23, 835. 089
1, 540, 853. 206
266. 635
693. 510
64, 503. 018
391.972
273. 457
2, 111, 432. 085
32, 504. 467
981, 317. 244
11.460
Foreign bullion, unrefined
Foreign bullion, refined
13, 803. 841
216, 129.480
159,815.864
390, 981. 715
156, 349. 381
313. 66-1
Foreign coin
Jewelers’ bars, old plate, etc...
Total deposits
Kedeposits:
Fine bars
118. 615
40, 199. 276
1,301,492.421
1,535. 845
205. 874
3, 532. 047
30. 550
1,117.409
108, 122. 494
2, 909, 344. 635
18,207. 191
3, 067, 212, 992
982, 790. 327
1, 442, 348. 850
719, 332. 675
925, 895. 459
16. 265
179, 729. 931
Mint bars
Unparted bars
1,180,040.388
92. 689
Total redeposits
Total gold operated upon.
SILVER.
Domestic bullion, unrefined. ..
Domestic bullion, refinerv bars.
3, 087, 576. 984
1,180,040. 388
16. 265
179, 729. 931
92. 689
3, 195, 699. 478
4, 089, 385. 023
18,223.456
3, 246, 942. 923
982, 883. 016
6, 223. 07
51,528.36
107. 03
219, 968. 37
87, 034. 39
3, 484, 899. 07
71,851.32
9, 690. (i5
Domestic bullion, refined
Total domestic bullion ..
Domestic coin, mutilated and
abraded
Domestic coin. Treasury trans-
fers
6, 223. 07
2, 350. 25
2, 265, 237. 38
194. 11
15, 407. 10
51, 528. 36
74.80
126, 515. 28
107. 03
411.87
510, 790. 30
87
2, 961. 05
3,791,901.83
172. 59
81,541.97
J'rade dollars
Foreign bullion, unrefined
Foreign bullion, refined
590, 46] . 67
676, 875. 90
62. 66
Foreign coin
4, 522, 466. 68
84, 664. 68
22. 80
5,804.23
135, 192. 48
540, 419. 79
Jewelers’ bars, old plate, etc...
Total deposits
Redcposits;
Fine bars
Mint bars
517.72
325. 94
6,896,543.27
769, 097. 83
520, 098.15
5, 144, 662. 59
81, 930. 57
476. 13
4, 272, 788. 96
17, 939, 234. 76
3, 495. 24
Standard bars
458, 758. 68
Unparted bars
147, 741. 29
267, 782. 12
35. 93
Total redeposits
Total silveroperated upon.
148, 217. 42
4,540,571.08
18, 397, 993. 44
3, 495. 24
35. 93
7,044,760.69
5, 309, 668. 91
18, 918, 091. 59
5, 148, 057. 83
81,966.50
803
PRECIOUS METALS
IN THE UNITED STATES.
I)UKIN(i IHK CaI.ENDAK YeAK ENDED DeCEMHEK 31, 1!KH).
ASSAY OFFICES.
Carson.
Boise.
Helena.
Charlotte.
St. Louis.
Dead wood.
Seattle.
Total.
Stand, ozs.
ll,2ir).«Kil
Stand, ozs.
86, 463. 422
Stand, ozs.
85, 660. 387
Stand, ozs.
9, 202. 242
3, 056. 355
Stand, ozs.
1 , 428. 036
2, 147. 217
69. 218
Stand, ozs.
13, 602. 529
Stand, ozs.
235, 175. 957
Stand, ozs.
1,257,695.186
982,808.817
2, 848, 340. 351
11, •215.%!
■2'J. ad2
86, 463. 422
85, 660. 387
12, 258. 597
4., 550
3, 644. 471
73. 148
13, 602. 529
235, 175. 957
5.000
5, 088, 844. 354
39, 320. 770
31,682.010
1.277.633. 1.54
159, 815. 864
1.693.277.2.55
205, 165. 446
46. 977
26, 593. 651
12. 405
932, 395. 029
•2. .589
2. 125
443. 366
9. 317
28. 033
117. 741
2, 133. 406
142. 991
11,257.429
86, 510. 399
112,2,82 071
12,395.418
5,851.025
13, 602. 529
1.168,162.343
8, 495, 738. 853
1,622,095.046
719, 332. 675
2, 109, 104. 008
2, 945. 320
4,5.310
42. 6,53
42. 189
2, 945. 320
45. 310
42. 653
42. 189
4,4.50,531.729
11,257.429
89,45,5.719
112,327.381
12, 395. 418
5, 893. 678
13, 602. 529
1,168,204.532
12, 946, 270. 582
11,761.28
28, 164.82
23, 427. 50
1,007.36
85. 66
15.31
3, 0,54. 40
32, 460. 68
449, 639. 85
96, 740. 35
3, 484, 899. 07
11,761.28
28, 16-1. 82
23, 427. 50
1,007.36
.44
100. 97
3, 054. 40
,32, 460. 68
4,031,279. 27
3, 009. 95
2, 902, ,542. 96
194. 98
14. 45
12, 530. 55
1.52
229, 363. 99
1,527, 678.89
.01
.86
4, 657, 682. 83
632, 445. 68
3.85
7. 66
58. 99
604. 76
38.06
11,765. 14
28, 179. 27
35, 965. 71
1,068.31
705. 73
3,054.40
201,863.59
13, 754, 834.. 56
•
22, 215, 995. 09
458, 758. 68
416,238. 79
626. 34
5.52
9.78
37.81
626. 34
5.52
9. 78
37.81
23,090,992.56
11,765.14
28, 805. 61
35,971.23
1,068.31
715. 51
3, 054. 40
261, 901. 40
36, 845, 827. 12
304
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
II. — Deposits and Purchases of Gold and Silver by Value
COINAGE MINTS.
ASSAY OFFICES.
Philadel-
phia.
San Fran-
cisco.
New Orleans.
New York.
Denver.
GOLD.
Domestic bullion, imrelined...
Domestic bullion, refinery bars.
$127, 042. 29
$4,308,717.06
$7, 292. 50
$6,450,164.93
9, 879, 142. 23
22, 953, 150. 24
$4, 268, 581. 40
8, 308, 862. 32
5, 679, 621. 28
Domestic bullion, refined
24, 358, 319. 33
Total dome.stic bullion ..
Domestic coin mutilated and
abraded
127, 042. 29
114,464. 94
676, 630. 24
443, 443. 52
28, 667, 036. 39
4,960.65
12, 902. 51
1, 200, 056. 16
7, 292. 60
5, 087. 57
39, 282, 457. 40
604, 734. 26
18, 257, 065. 00
21:'.. 1
Domestic coin. Treasury trans-
fers
Foreign bullion, unrefined
Foreign bullion, refined
256, 815. 65
4, 021, 013. 58
2,973,318.40
7,274,078.42
2, 908, 825. 70
5, 835. 61
Foreign coin
2, 206. 79
747, 893. 51
24,213,812. 48
28, 573. 86
3, 830. 21
65, 712. 50
568. 37
Jeweler’s bars, old plate, etc. . .
20, 789. 01
Total deposits
2,011,581.29
54, 127, 342. 04
338, 738. 43
57, 064, 427. 76
18,284,471.20
Rcdeposits:
Fine bars
26, 834, 397. 20
13, 382, 933. 49
17, 225, 962. 03
302.60
3, 343, 812. 67
Mint bars
Unparted bars
21, 954, 239. 78
1,724.45
Total redeposits
57, 443, 292. 72
21,954,239.78
302. 60
3, 343, 812. 67
1,724.45
Total gold operated upon .
59, 454, 874. 01
76,081,581.82
339, 041. 03
60, 408, 240. 43
18, 286, 195. 65
SILVER.
Domestic bullion, unrefined ...
Domestic bullion, refinery bars.
7,241.39
59, 960. 27
124. S4
255, 963. 19
101, 276. 38
4,055, 155. 29
83, 608. 81
11,276. 39
Domestic bullion, refined
Total domestic bullion...
Domestic coin, mutilated and
abraded
7, 241. 39
2, 734. 83
2, 635, 912. 60
225. 87
59, 960. 27
87.04
124. 54
479. 27
4, 412, 394. 86
200. 83
94, 885. 20
Domestic coin. Treasury trans-
fers
147, 217. 78
594, 374. 17
1.01
Trade dollars
Foreign bullion, unrefined
Foreign bullion, refined
17, 928. 26
687, 082. 67
3, 445. 58
787, 637. 41
72. 61
Foreign coin
5, 262, 506. 68
98,518.90
26. 53
157, 314. 88
628, 852. 12
Jewelers’ bars, old plate, etc . . .
602. 44
6, 754. 01
379. 27
Total deposits
8,026,068.53
894, 950. 20
605, 206. 11
5, 986, 400. 10
95, 337. 38
Redeposits:
Fine bars
564. 0-1
4,971,972. 61
20, 874, 745. 90
4,067. 19
Mint bars
Standard bars
533, 828. 28
Unparted bars
171,917.14
311,601.01
41. 81
Total redeposits
172,471.18
5, 283, 573. 62
21, 408, 574. 18
4, 067. 19
41.81
Total silveroperated upon
8, 197, 539. 71
6, 178, 523. 82
22, 013, 779. 29
5, 990, 467. 29
95, 379. 19
305
I’KEOIOUS METALS IN
THE UNITED STA'l'ES.
DURING THE CALENDAR YeaR ENDED DeCEMUER 31, 1900.
ASSAY OFFICES.
Carson.
Boise.
Helena.
Charlotte.
St. Louis.
Dead-
wood.
Seattle.
?208, 669. 03
»1, 608, 621. 80
®1, 593, 681. 62
*171,204.49
56, 862. 42
*26, 568. 11
39,948.22
1,287.78
*253,070.31
*4, 375, 366. 64
208, 669. 03
549. 99
1,608,621.80
1 , 593, 681. 62
228, 066. 91
84. 65
67, 804. 11
1,360. 89
253, 070. 31
4, 375, 366. 64
93. 03
873. 99
494,765. 60
230. 79
17,346, 884.26
48.17
173. 34
39. 53
2, 190. 53
8, 248. 67
2, 660. 29
521. 54
39, 691.27
209, 4 10. 53
1, 609, 495. 79
2, 088, 968. 76
230, 612.41
108, 856. 27
253, 070. 31
21,733,252.89
■
54, 796. 65
842. 98
793.54
784. 91
54, 796. 65
842. 98
793. 54
784. 91
209, 440. 53
1,664,292.44
2, 089, 811. 74
230, 612. 41
109, 649. 81
253,070. 31
21, 734, 03f. 80
13,685.85'
32, 773. 60
27, 261. 09
1,172. 19
99.67
17. 82
3, 564. 21
37, 772. 42
13, 685. 85
32, 773. 60
27, 261.09
1,172. 19
51
117. 49
3, 654. 21
37, 772. 42
16. 81
14,581.00
1.77
266, 896. 28
.01
4. 48
1.00
44. 29
8.91
68.64
703. 72
13, 690. 34
32, 790. 41
41,851.00
1,243.11
821.21
3,554.21
304, 713. 99
728. 83
6.42
11.38
44.00
728.83
6. 42
11.38
44. 00
13, 690. 34
33, 519. 24
41, 857. 42
1,243. 11
832. 59
3,554.21
304, 757. 99
Total.
S23, 398, 980. 18
18, 284, 815. 19
52, 992, 378. 63
94,676,174.00
731, 549. 19
589,432.75 '
23, 769, 919. 15
2, 973, 318. 40
31,502,832.64
3,817, 031.55
158, 060, 257. 68
30, 178, 512. 47
13, 382, 933. 49
39, 239, 144. 34
82, 800, 590. 30
240, 860, 847. 98
523, 217. 23
112, 570. 59
4, 055, 155. 29
4, 690, 943. 11
3, 502. 48
3, 377, 504. 55
226. 88
1, 777, 662. 69
5, 419, 849. 10
735, 936. 78
16, 005, 625. 59
25, 851, 339. 74
533, 828. 28
484,350.59
26, 869, 518. 61
42, 875, 144. 20
12066—01 20
306
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
III. — Deposits op Unrefined Gold of Domestic Production, with the States
BELOW 0.992) AND ReFINED BULLION (FINENESS 0.992 AND OVER) OF DoMESTIc
December 31, 1900.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
10
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
SOURCE.
COINAGE MINTS.
ASSAY OFFICES.
Philadel-
phia.
San Fran-
cisco.
New Or-
leans.
New York.
Denver.
Alabama
Sta7id. ozs.
15. 691
592. 505
229. 405
77. 826
181.044
841. 981
456. 005
6. 052
Stand, ozs.
Stand, ozs.
73.351
5.682
228. 460
Stand, ozs.
Stand, ozs.
Alaska
23, 625. 975
24,010. 187
167, 934. 414
185. 986
1, 229. 915
810. 922
928. 375
870. 286
169.179
95. 396
644. 273
37, 651 . 912
330. 383
176, 347. 495
Arizona
California
Colorado
Georgia
Idaho
470. 896
514. 949
Maryland
Michigan
27. 186
Missouri
36. 939
Montana
2, 704. 178
82. 150
2, 237. 571
150. 200
27, 799. 832
47, 944. 068
416.062
326. 156
112. 136
153.563
9, 237. 187
Nevada
New Mexico
132. 798
549. 140
70. 319
North Carolina
Oregon
8,844. 167
6^ 066
South Carolina
South Dakota
182. 259
5.882
192, 900. 959
131. 937
Tennessee
Texas
47. 5-10
Utah
19. 933
173. 274
492. 494
29. 805
67. 932
1, 492. 203
72, 826. 810
2, 675. 647
Virginia
Washington
2, 304. 979
232. 938
21. 886
351. 219
Wyoming
1, 570. 702
Other
Total unrefined
6,828.523
231, 593. 542
391. 972
346, 696. 365
531, 003. 895
1, 233, 731. 825
•229,436.250
446, 601. 350
305, 279. 644
Refinery bars (tineness below
0.992)
Refinecl bullion (lineness 0.992
and over)
1, 309, 259. 664
Total gold
6, 828.523
1,540,853.206
391. 972
2, 111, 432. 085
981, 317. 244
IV. — Deposits of Unrefined Gold op Domestic Production, with the States and
0.992) AND Refined Bullion (Fineness 0.992 and over) of Domestic Bullion not
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
Source.
COINAGE MINTS.
ASSAY OFFICES.
Philadel-
phia.
San Fran-
cisco.
New Or-
leans.
New York.
Denver.
Alabama
S291.92
11,023.35
4,268. 00
1,447.93
3, 368. 26
15, 664. 76
8, 483. 81
112.60
»1, 364. 67
105.71
4, 250. 42
Alaska
«439, 553. 02
446,701.15
3,124,361.19
3, 460. 20
$22, 882. 14
15, 086, 92
17, 272. 09
16, 191.37
3, 147. 52
1, 774. 81
»11, 986. 48
700, 500. ti9
6, 146. ()6
3, 280, 883. 62
Arizona
(falifornia
Colorado
Georgia
Idaho
8, 760. 86
9,580.45
Maryland
Michigan
•
•505. 79
Mis.souri
687. 24
Montana
50, 310. 29
1,528. 37
41,629. 23
2,794.42
517, 206. 18
891,982.66
7, 740. 69
6, 068. 02
2, 086. 26
2,856.99
171, 854. 64
Nevada
New Mexico
2, 470. 66
10,216.56
1,308.26
North Carolina
Oregon
164,542. 46
1, 229. 14
South Carolina
South Dakota
3, 390. 87
109.43
3, 588, 855. 05
2,454.64
Tenne.ssee
Texas
884. 46
U tah
370.85
3, 223. 70
9,162,68
554. 51
1,263.85
27, 761. 92
1,354,917.39
49, 779. 48
Virginia
Washington
42,883.33
4,333. 73
407. 18
6, 534. 30
Wyoming
29, 222. 36
Other .
Total unrefined
127, 042. 29
4, 308, 717. 06
7, 292. .50
6, 450, 164. 93
9, 879, 142. 23
22,953,150.24
4,268,581.40
8,308,862.32
5, 679, 621. 28
Refinery bars (fineness below
0.992)
Refined bullion (finene.ss 0.992
and over)
24, 358, 319. 33
ToUil
127, 042. 29 28, 667, 036. 39
7, 292. 50
39,282,457.40
18, 257, 065. 00
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
307
AND TeRKITORIES PRODUCING THE SaME, AND Al^O OF ReFINEUY BaRS (FINENESS
Bullion not Distributed, by Weight, during the Calendar Year ended
ASSAY OFFICES.
Carson.
Boise.
Helena.
Charlotte.
St. Louis.
Deadwood.
Seattle.
Stand, ozs.
Stand, ozs.
Stand, ozs.
Stand, ozs.
14. 130
Stand, ozs.
Stand, ozs.
Stand, ozs.
64.787
269. 654
121. 434
5. 032
9. 199
12. 364
28.411
228,813. 184
1,949.119
2.527
35. 973
146. 053
11, 069. 125
5, 082. 002
40,857.824
292. 795
6, 725. 295
72,943. 076
4.715
9,266.8-12
1, 165. 342
654. 448
38, 284. 344
1, 086. 704
190. 822
3, 449. 135
13, 602. 529
7.211
337.858
1
1
193. 314
156. 775
1
5, 831. 257
1
86. 254
11, 216. 961
86, 463. '122
85, 660. 387
9, 202. 242
3, 056. 356
1, 428. 036
2, 147. 217
13, 602. 529
235, 175. 957
69. 218
11,215.961
86,463. 422
85, 660. 387
12,258.597
3,644.471 * 13,602.529
1
236, 175. 957
Total.
Stand, ozs.
103. 172
266,367.409
62, 935. 918
171,267.816
177,597. 175
6, 266. 626
53,756.990
6. 052
27. 186
36. 939
110, 371. 382
59, 602. 044
11,101.589
1,529. 744
48,542.412
3,449. 135
206, 824. 895
5.882
47.540
77, 352. 451
173. 274
9, 330. 038
1,833.445
176. 072
1
2
8
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1,257,695. 186
982, 808. 817
2, 8^18, 340. 351
5,088,844.354
Territories Producing the Same, and also of Refinery Bars (Fineness below
Distributed, by Value, during the Calendar Ye.ar ended December 31, 1900.
ASSAY OFFICES.
Carson.
Boise.
Helena.
Charlotte.
St. Louis.
Deadwood.
Seattle.
S262. 88
ei, 205. 34
»4, 830. 77
*2, 259. 23
93. 62
171.14
230. 03
$4,256,989.47
S36, 262. 67
47.01
669. 26
2, 698. 66
205,937.21
94,548.87
528. 58
760, 145.56
6,447.35
125, 121. 77
1,357,080.49
87. 72
172,406.36
21,680.78
12, 175. 78
712, 266. 86
20, 217. 76
3, 550. 18
64, 169. 95
$253,070. 31
134. 16
6,285. 73
3,596.54
2, 916. 74
108,488.50
1,604.73
208, 669. 03
1, 608, 621. 80
1, 593, 681. 62
171, 204. 49
56, 862. 42
26, 568. 11
39,948.22
1,287. 78
253,070. 31
4, 375, 366. 64
208, 669. 03
1,608,621.80
1, 593, 681. 62
228,066. 91
67, 804. 11
253,070. 31
4,375,366. 64
Total.
»1,
4,750,
1,170,
3, 186,
3,304,
116,
1,000,
2, 053,
1, 108,
206,
28,
903,
64,
3,847,
1,439,
3,
173,
34,
3,
919. 47
835.61
900.80
377. 95
133.48
588.39
130. 05
112.60
505. 79
687. 24
421. 07
875. 24
541. 19
460. 36
114. 65
169. 95
905. 03
109. 43
884.46
116.37
223. 70
582. 09
110. 60
275. 76
1
2
3
4
6
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
23, 398,
18,284,
52, 992,
980. 18
815.19
378.63
94,676,174.00
308
PKEOIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
V. — Deposits of Unrefined Silver of Domestic Production, with the States and
0.992) AND Refined Bullion (Fineness 0.992 and over) of Domestic Bullion not
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
Source.
COINAGE MINTS.
ASSAY OFFICES.
Philadel-
phia.
San Fran-
cisco.
New Or-
leans.
New York.
Denver.
Alabama
Stand, ozs.
11.04
72.64
102. 37
13. 13
68. 55
93. 24
156. 16
.72
1, 306. 26
Stand, ozs.
Stand, ozs.
41. 32
.92
57.35
Stand, ozs.
Stand, ozs.
Alaska
3, 570. 10
6, 904. 92
29, 380. 71
45. 84
329. 20
284.11
179. 66
6, 738. 54
23. 15
21.45
100. 89
16,268. 39
70.97
51, 534. 96
Arizona
California
Colorado
Georgia
Idaho
128. 34
51.01
Maryland
Michigan
21,422.89
Missouri
7.44
Montana
2,941.68
10. 25
948. 72
20. 60
32, 782. 97
86,603.05
22, 133. 54
32. 14
11.93
15.96
1, 677. 04
Nevada
New Mexico
25. ie
1, 084. 15
6. 82
North Carolina
Oregon
2, 398. 66
13. 69
South Carolina
South Dakota
113. 92
.32
1.28
27.66
158. 34
4.52
35.11
49, 290. 12
14.64
Tennessee
Utah
1,115.39
4. 55
1, 973. 49
Virginia
Washington
6, 872. 46
123. 29
9. 08
123. 00
Wyoming
118.35
Other
Total unrefined
6, 223. 07
51,528.36
107.03
219, 968. 37
87,034. 39
3, 484, 899. 07
71, 851. 32
9, 690. 65
Refinery bars (fineness below
0.992)
Refineci bullion (fineness 0.992
and over)
Total silver
6,223.07
51, 528. 36
107. 03
3,791,901.83
81, 511. 97
VI. — Deposits of Unrefined Silver of Domestic Production, with the States and
0.992) AND Refined Bullion (Fineness 0.992 and over) of Domestic Bullion not
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
Source.
COINAGE MINTS.
ASSAY OFFICES.
Philadel-
phia.
San Fran-
cisco.
New Or-
leans.
New York.
Denver.
Alabama
$12. 85
84.63
119.12
15. 28
79. 77
108. 50
181.71
.84
1,520. 01
$18. 08
1.07
66. 73
Alaska
if4, 154. 30
8, 034. 82
34, 188. 46
.53. 34
$383. 07
330. 60
209. 06
7,841.21
26. 94
24.96
$117. 40
18, 930. 49
82. 58
59, 967. 95
Arizona
California
Colorado
Georgia
Idaho
149. 34
.59. 36
Maryland
Michigan
24, 928. 44
Missouri
8.66
Montana
3, 423. 04
11.93
1, 103. 96
23.97
38, 147. 46
100,774.46
25, 7.55. 39
37. 40
13.88
18. 57
1,951.47
Nevada
New Mc.xico
29. 28
1,261.. 55
7.94
North Carolina
Oregon
2, 791.17
16. 93
South Carolina
South Dakota
132. ,56
.37
1.49
32.19
184. 25
5. 26
40.85
57, 355. 78
17. 03
Tennessee
Utah
1,297.91
5. 29
2, 296. 43
Virginia
Washington
7, 997. 04
143.46
10. .57
143. 13
Wyoming
137. 72
Other
Total unrefined
7, 241. 39
59, 960. 27
124. 54
255, 963. 19
101, 276. 38
4, 055, 155. 29
83, 608. 81
11, 276. .39
Refinery bars (fineness below
0.992)
Refined bullion (fineness 0.992
and over)
Total silver
7,241.39
59, 960. 27
124.54
4, 412, 394. 86
94,885.20
f
PRECIOUS METALS TN THE UNITED STATES
809
Tekrttories rRonuciNO THE Same, and also of Refinery Bars (Fineness relow
Distributed, by Weioht, during the Calendar Year ended December 31, 1900.
ASSAY OFFICES.
Carson.
Boi.se.
Helena.
Charlotte.
St. Louis.
Deadwood.
Seattle.
Stand, ozs.
Sta7id. ozs.
Stmid. ozs.
Stand, ozs.
1.19
Stand, ozs.
Stand, ozs.
Sta7id. ozs.
8.36
49.26
13.45
.52
1.20
1.26
.74
29, 855. 49
1,023. 51
1.00
7. 12
7.69
2,181.76
379. 21
11,546.39
42. 71
539. 14
20, 881. 03
2.17
10,737.77
49. 75
200. 88
15,941.32
256. 26
58. 31
425. 08
3, 054. 40
.28
85. 23
44. 38
51.50
2, 494. 60
18.74
11, 761.28
28, 164. 82
23, 427. 50
1, 007. 36
85.66
15. 31
3, 054. 40
32, 460. 68
11,761.28
28, 164. 82
23, 427. 50
1,007.36
100. 97
3, 054. 40
32, 460. 68
Total.
Stand, ozs.
53.56
34, 000. 31
23, 617. 66
30, 677. 30
58. 389. 15
504. 03
14, 127. 82
.72
22.729.15
7.44 10
57,169.17 11
98, 305. 50 12
28,906.09 13
1,317.17 14
18,675.06 15
425. 08 16
52,473.36 17
.32 18
3, 179. 94 19
27. 66
9, 744. 28
246. 16
62. 93
20
21
22
23
449, 639. 85
96, 740. 35
3, 484, 899. 07
4,031,279. 27
Territories Producing the same, and also of Refinery Bars (Fineness below
Distributed, by Value, during the Calendar Year ended December 31, 1900.
assay offices.
Carson.
Boise.
Helena.
Charlotte.
St. Louis.
Deadwood.
Seattle.
$1.38
$9.73
$57. 32
$1 5. 65
.60
1.40
1.47
.86
$34, 740. 93
«1, 190. 99
1. 16
8.28
8.95
2, 538. 77
441.26
13, 435. 80
49.70
627.36
24, 297. 93
2.52
12 494. 86
57.89
233. 75
18, 549. 90
298. 19
67.85
494. 64
$3, 554. 21
.33
99. 17
51.64
69.93
2, 902. 81
21.80
13, 685. 85
32, 773. 60
27,261.09
1,172.19
99. 67
17.82
3,654.21
37, 772. 42
13, 685. 85
32, 773. 60
27, 261. 09
1, 172. 19
117. 49
3, 554. 21
37, 772. 42
Total.
?62.
39, 564.
27, 482.
35, 697.
67, 943.
586.
16, 439.
26, 448'.
8.
66, 524.
114, 391.
27,818.
1,532.
21,730.
494.
61,059.
3,700!
32.
11, 338.
286.
73.
66 10
12 11
c85 12
00 13
70 14
98 15
64 i 16
91 17
37 18
29 19
19 20
80 21
44 [ 22
22 23
523, 217.
112, 570.
4,055, 155.
23
59
29
4, 690, 943. 11
310
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
VII. — Bars Manufactured op Gold and Silver, by Weight,
Description.
COINAGE MINTS.
ASSAY OFFICES.
Philadel-
phia.
San Fran-
cisco.
New
Orleans.
Carson.
New York.
GOLD.
Fine bars
Stand, ozs.
146, 680. 961
Stand, ozs.
Stand, ozs.
389.755
Stand, ozs.
Stand, ozs.
2, 889, 941. 996
354,161.099
185, 113. 526
1,738.590
Mint bars
Standard bars
Unparted bars
212. 730
11,257.429
Total gold
SILVER.
Fine bars
Mint bars
146, 680. 961
212. 730
389. 755
11,257. 429
3, 430, 955. 211
88, 531. 56
585,068.77
4, 356. 79
5, 082, 326. 47
78, 726. 91
2,715.75
270. 04
Standard bars
Unparted bars
80. 29
11, 765. 14
Total silver
88, 531.56
585, 149. 06
4, 356. 79
11,765. 14
5, 164, 039. 17
VIII. — Bars MANUFAcrruRED or Gold and Silver, by Value,
Description.
COINAGE MINTS.
ASSAY OFFICES.
Philadel-
phia.
San Fran-
cisco.
New
Orleans.
Carson.
New York.
GOLD.
Fine bars
$2, 728, 948. 11
»7, 251. 26
$53,766,362. 72
6,589,043.70
3, 443, 972. 58
32, 345. 86
Mint bars
Standard bars
Unparted bars
®3, 957. 77
»209, 440. 53
Total gold
SILVER.
Fine bars
Mint bars
2, 728, 948. 11
3, 957. 77
7,251.26
209, 440. 53
63,831,724.86
103, 018. 54
680, 807. 30
5, 069. 72
5, 913, 979. 89
91, 609. 49
3, 160. 15
314.23
Standard bars
Unparted bars
93. 43
13, 690. 34
Total silver
Total gold and silver
103,018.54
680, 900. 73
5,069. 72
13, 690. 34
6, 009, 063. 76
2,831,966.65
684, 858. 50
12,320.98
223, 130. 87
69, 840, 788. 62
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
311
DURING TnE Calendar Year ended December 31, 1900.
ASSAY OFFICES.
Total.
Denver.
Boi.se.
Helena. Charlotte.
St. Louis.
Dead-
wood.
Seattle.
Stand, oza.
305, 279. 044
Stand, ozs.
Stand, ozs.
Stand, ozs.
Stand, ozs.
Stand, ozs.
Stand, ozs.
Stand, ozs.
3, 342, 292. 356
354,101.099
185,113.520
2, 089, 523. 217
077, 510. 083
80, 510. 399
112, 282. 071
12, 395. 418
5,851.025
13, 002. 529
1,108,102.343
9S2, 7i». 327
80, 510. 399
112,282. 071
12, 395. 418
5,851.025
13, 002. 529
1,108; 102. 343
5, 971,090.198
5, 700, 283. 59
78, 720. 91
2, 715. 75
424,883. 04
81,9.30. 57
28, 179. 27
35, 905. 71
1, 008. 31
705. 73
3, 054. 40
201,803. 58
81,930.57
28, 179. 27
35, 905. 71
1,008. 31
705. 73
3, 054. 40
201, 803. 58
6, 200, 009. 29
DURING THE CALENDAR YeAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1900
ASSAY OFFICES.
Total.
Denver.
Boise.
Helena.
Charlotte.
St. Louis.
Dead-
wood.
Seattle.
S5, 079, 621. 28
$62, 182, 183. 37
6,589,043. 70
3, 443, 972. 58
38, 874, 850. 51
12, 604, 849. 92
$1,609,495.79
$2,088,^.76
$230,012.41
$168,850.27
$253,070.31
$21,733,252.89
18,284,471.20
1,609,495. 79
2,088,908.70
230, 012. 41
108, 856. 27
253, 070. 31
21,733,252.89
111,090, 050.16
6, 702, 875. 45
91,609. 49
3, 160. 15
494,409. 30
95, 337. 38
32, 790. 4i
41,851.00
1,24^11
821.21
3,554.21
304,713.98
95, 337. 38
32, 790. 41
41,851,00
1,243.11
821 . 21
3, 554. 21
304, 713. 98
7, 292, 054. 39
18, 379, 808. 58
1,042,286. 20
2,130,819. 76
231,855.52
109,677.48
256, 624. 52
22, 037, 966. 87
118, 382, 104. 55
312
PRECIOUS METALS m THE UNITED STATES
IX. — Statement of Domestic Mutilated and Uncurrent Gold and Silver Coins
Showing Weight, Face Value, Coining Value, and Loss,
Denominations.
PHILADELPHIA.
SAN FRANCISCO.
NEW ORLEANS.
Received
from
Treasury.
Purchased.
Received
from
Treasury.
Purchased.
Received
from
Treasury.
Purchased.
GOLD.
Double eagles
Eagles
Half eagles
Three-dollar pieces
Quarter eagles
Dollars
®279, 780. 00
124.130.00
167. 780. 00
174.00
8, 467. 50
103.00
»33, 540. 00
26, 470. 00
49, 335. 00
66.00
5,627.50
259.00
54,140.00
3. 720. 00
5. 300. 00
3.00
2.50
53, 200. 00
820.00
1,375.00
12. 00
45.00
1.5.00
51,820.00
760.00
2, 260. 00
15.00
217. 50
89.00
Total gold, face
value
SILVER.
Lafayette souvenir
dollars
580, 434. 50
115,297.50 13,165.50
5, 467. 00
5, 161.. 50
26.00
223.00
1,095.00
839. 00
557. 50
351. 90
38. 25
11.61
'
Trade dollars
1.00
254.00
108.50
84.25
.20
71.60
9.90
.24
Standard dollars
13.00
53.50
14. 25
15.20
.85
Half dollars
Quarter dollars
Twenty-cent pieces ...
Dimes
Half dimes
Three-cent pieces
Total silver, face
value
SUMMARY.
Gold coin
Silver coin
Gold, coining value . . .
Silver, subsidiary coin-
ing value
Silver, dollar coining
value
Loss, gold
Loss, silver
Gain, silver
1,229,951.00
1,037,167. 25
239. 60
720, 055. 30
1,494.60
261. 55
93,000. 00
48. 500. 00
3.40
24. 402. 00
115.75
358, 629. 00
228, 203. 50
28.40
88,333.10
164. 80
1.20
2, 989, 169. 30
3, 142. 26
166,021.15
96.80
675, 360. 00
529. 69
Stand, ozs.
30, 988. 500
2, 265, 237. 38
Stand, ozs.
6,152. 491
2, 544. 36
Stand, ozs.
693. 510
126, 515. 28
Stand, ozs.
266. 635
74.80
Stand, ozs.
510, 790. 30
Stand, ozs.
273. 457
412. 74
»576, 530. 24
2,818, 335. 81
2, 635, 912, 60
$114, 464. 94
3, 165. 61
2, 960. 70
512, 902. 51
157, 406. 25
147,217. 78
54, 960. 65
93.06
87.04
5635, 508. 92
594,374.17
55, 087. 57
.51 3. .52
480. 28
3,904.26
170,833. 49
832. 56
23. 35
262. 99
8, 614. 90
.506. 35
3.74
39, 851. 08
73.93
16.17
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
313
Transferred PRO^^ the Treasury and PuRcnASED Over the Counter for Recoinage,
During the Calendar Year Ended Decemher 81, 1900.
NEW YORK.
DENVER.
CARSON.
CHAR-
LOTTE.
ST. LOUIS.
SEATTLE.
TOTAL.
Purchased.
Pur-
chased.
Pur-
chased.
Pur-
chased.
Pur-
chased.
Pur-
chased.
Received
from
Treasury.
Purchased.
Received
from Treas-
ury and
purchased
8158, 520. 00
236.010.00
192. 700. 00
$80.00
80.00
85-10.00
10.00
8660. 00
430.00
860.00
30.00
8283, 920. 00
127. 850. 00
173.080.00
177.00
8198, 420. 00
264.610. 00
246.120.00
213.00
8482, 340. 00
392, -160. 00
4C.00
8120. 00
285. 00
5.00
419, 200. 00
390.00
120.00
22, 970. 00
42.00
22. 50
8, 470. 00
103.00
28, 882. 50
412.00
37, 352. 50
516.00
6.00
1.00
610, 362. 00
228.50
5.50. 00
120.00
1,376.00
95.00
593, 600. 00
738, 657. 50
1,332,257.50
26.00
26.00
224.00
224. 00
151.00
1,513.00
1,021.50
684 . 25
1,513.00
1,682,601.50
1,314,555.00
272.00
20.00
.50
1,681,580.00
1,313,870. 75
271. 40
28. 25
.40
.60
18.00
832, 790. 40
1,775. 15
456.70
838, 247. 15
1,824. 15
274.60
49.00
'262. 75
11.85
217. 65
.50
3, 830, 550. 45
3, 986. 90
3, 834, 537. 40
Sla7id. ozs.
32, 504. 467
172. 59
Stand.ozs.
11.460
Stand.ozs.
29. 562
Stand.ozs.
4. 550
.44
Stand.ozs.
73. 148
Stand.ozs.
5.000
Stand, ozs.
31,682.010
2,902,542.96
Stand, ozs.
39,320. 770
3, 204. 93
Stand, ozs.
71, 002. 780
2,905, 747.89
8604,734.26
8213. 21
8049. 99
884.65
81,360.89
893. 03
8589, 432. 75
8731, 549. 19
81,320, 981.04
214. 73
.55
3, 611, 250. 98
3,377,504.55
3, 987. 47
3, 729. 36
3,615,238.45
3, 381, 233. 87
200.83
.51
5, 627. 74
2.92
15. 29
.01
35.35
15.11
1.97
4, 167. 25
219, 299. 47
7, 108. 31
22. 83
11,275.56
219, 322. 30
23. 40
.05
23.40
314
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
X. — Quantity and Cost of Silver Used in the Coinage of Silver Dollars during
THE Calendar Year 1900, under Act of July 14, 1890.
MINT AT PHILADELPHIA.
Month.
Coined.
Dollars coined.
Seigniorage.
Standard
ounces.
Cost.
1900.
January
February
378, 125. 00
1,376,323.98
1,222,031.25
48, 126. 00
116. 02
S307, 912. 88
1,119,947. 01
995, 118. 43
39, 188. 91
94.48
440, 000
1,600,377
1,422,000
56,000
135
S132,087.12
480, 429. 99
426,881.57
16,811.09
40.52
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
1,289, 148. 45
1.720. 468. 75
1.136.093.75
419, 632. 81
1, 049, 772. 96
1,401,003.58
925,138.23
341,713. 31
1,500,100
2, 002, 000
1,322,000
488, 300
4.50, 327.04
600,996.42
396,861.77
146, 586. 69
October
November
December
Total
7,589,065. 01
6, 179, 889. 79
8,830,912
2,651,022.21
MINT AT SAN FRANCISCO.
1900.
January
February
March
429, 687. 50
^49, 889. 24
500, 000
S160, 110. 76
April
May
Julie
July
August
September
859, 375. 00
859, 375. 00
699, 792. 98
699, 794.42
1,000,000
1,000,000
300, 207. 02
300, 205. 58
October
November
December ^
893, 750. 00
727, 787. 72
1,040,000
312, 212. 28
Total
3,042,187.50
2, 477, 264. 36
3, .540, 000
1,062,735.64
MINT AT NEW ORLEANS.
1900.
Jfluunry
1,332,031.26
1, 289, 062. .50
1,718,750. 00
1, 289, 062. 60
1, 289, 062. 50
8.59. 376. 00
541,406.35
343.7.50.00
859.37.5.00
SI, 084, 684. 44
1,049,696.80
1,399,597.97
1,049, 699. 9<1
1, 049, 699. 90
699,801.13
440, 874. 85
279, 920. 54
699,801.52
1.550.000
1, 51X), 000
2, 000, 000
] , .500, 000
1.500.000
1,000,000
630. 000
400. 000
1, 000, 000
S465, 315. 56
460, 303. 20
600, 402. 03
450, 300. 10
450, 300. 10
300,198.87
189, 125. 15
120, 079. 46
300, 198. 48
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
979, 687. .50
317, 968. 75
797,774.06
268, 926. 67
1,14C,000
370, 000
342,225.94
111,073.33
December
Tota 1
10,819,531.35
8, 810, 477. 78
12, 590, 000
3, 779, 522. 22
SUMMARY.
1900.
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Total
1,332,031.25
SI, 084, 684. 44
1, 550, 000
S465, 315. 56
1,667,187.50
1,367,609.68
1,940,000
582, 390. 32
3, 523, 761. 48
2,869,434.22
4,100,377
1,230, 942.78
2, 611,093.75
2,044, 818. 33
2,922,000
877,181.67
1,337,187.50
1,088,888.81
1,556,000
467,111.19
859,491.02
699, 895. 61
1, 000, 135
300,239.39
541,406.35
440, 874.85
630, 000
189,125. 15
343, 750. 00
279, 920. 54
400,000
120,079.46
3, 007, 898. 45
2, 449, 367. 46
3, 500, 1(X)
1,050,732.54
2, 579, 843. 75
2, 100, 798. 00
3, 002, 000
901,202.00
2,115, 781.25
1 , 722, 912. 29
2, 462, 000
739, 087. 71
1,631, 351.. 56
1,328,427. 70
1 , 898, 300
569, 872. 30
21,450,7?3.86
17,467,631.93
24,%0,912
7,493,280.07
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
815
XI.— Qu ANTITY AND CoST OF MeTAL OBTAINED BY TRANSFER AND PURCHASE, n>K
Subsidiary Silver Coinage, Coinage Derived Therefrom, and Seigniorage on
Same, during the Calendar Year 1900.
Sources from which bulliou was ob-
tained.
MINT AT PHILADELPHIA.
Unciirrent coins transferred from
Treasury
.Amount transferred from act July 14,
1890
Amount I’orto Rican coins redeemed
and melted
Partings, charges, and fractions pur-
chased
Melted assay coins purchased
Mutilated coins purchased
Surplus bullion purchased
Total
MINT AT SAN FRANCISCO.
Uncurrent coins transferred from
Treasury
Amount transferred from act July 14,
1890
Partings, charges, and fractions pur-
chased
Mutilated coins purchased
Surplus bullion purchased
Total
MINT AT NEW ORLEANS.
Uncurrent coins transferred from
Treasury
.Amount transferred from act July 14,
1890 ■....
Partings, charges, and fractions pur-
chased
Mutilated coins purchased
Surplus bullion purchased
Total
SUMMARY.
Uncurrent coins transferred from
Treasury
Amount transferred from act July 14,
1890
Amount Porto Rican coins redeemed
and melted
Partings, charges, and fractions pur-
chiused
Melted assay coins purchased
Mutilated coins purchased
Surplus bullion purchased
Standard
ounces.
Cost.
Coinage.
Seigniorage.
2.205.237.38
3,006,300.25
4. 522. 370. 39
166, 130. 10
828. 03
1,663.23
11,800.11
S2, 818, 335. 81
2, 496, 939. 30
3,419,521.08
90, 317. 42
989. 26
903.88
7, 114. .56
82, 787, 000. 00
3, 815, 000. 00
81,318,060. 70
1 43, 775. 20
21,145.85
10,034,335.49
8, 834, 121. 31
6, 645, 775. 20
1,339,206.55
126, 515. 28
1,613, 930.00
325,131.73
74.80
3, 068. 53
157,406. 25
1, 314, 223. 79
178, 430. 74
41.68
1,703.95
131,634.25
2,008,000.00
1 122,000.00
693, 776. 21
53,204.67
2, 068, 720. 34
1,651,806.41
2,261,634.25
746,980.88
510, 790. 30
1,400, 534.38
49, 585. 48
412. 74
11.75
635, 508. 92
1,140, 475.62
27,822.19
225. 26
5. 61
635, 000. 00
1,742,500.00
1 49, 500. 00
602, 024. 38
15, 908. 44
1, 961, 334. 65
1, 804, 037. 60
2, 427, 000. 00
617,932.82
2, 902, 542. 96
6, 080, 770. 63
4, .522, 370. 39
540, 847. 31
828.03
2, 150. 77
14, 880. 39
3,611,250.98
4,951,638.71
3,419,521.08
296, 570. 35
989. 26
1,170.82
8,824.12
3, 553, 634. 25
7,565,500.00
2,613,861 29
1 215,275.20
90, 258. 96
14, 064, 390. 48
12,289,965.32
11,334,409.46
2, 704, 120. 25
Total
316
PEEOIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
XII. — Silver FOR Subsidiary Coinage Calendar Year 1900.
Stock.
Standard
ounces.
Cost.
MINT AT PHILADELPHIA.
Silver bullion on hand Jan. 1, 1900
109, 653. 96
2. 265. 237. 38
3, 066, 306. 25
4. 522. 370. 39
166, 130. 10
828. 03
1, 663. 23
11,800. 11
S115,696.97
2, 818, 335. 81
2, 496, 939. 30
3,419,521.08
90,317.42
989. 26
903.88
7,114.56
Uncurrent coins transferred from Treasurv
Amount transferred from act, July 14, 1890
Amount Porto Rican coins redeemed and melted
Partings, charges, and fractions purchased
Melted assay coins purchased ...'
Mutilated coins purchased
Surplus bullion purchased
Total
10.143.989.45
8.949.818.28
Used in coinage, calendar j'ear 1900
5,341,541.82
9,429.35
8, 633. 17
4,784,385. 11
5,300,568.65
6, 689. 96
5,205.14
3,632,354.53
Amount sold in sweeps
Wasted by operative officers
Balance on hand Jan. 1, 1901
Total
10, 143,989.45
8, 949, 818. 28
MINT AT S.VN FRANCISCO.
Silver bullion on hand Jan. 1, 1900
113,394.97
126, 515. 28
1, 613, 930. 00
325, 131. 73
74.80
3, 068. 53
92, 836. 46
157, 406. 25
1,314,223. 79
178,430.74
41.68
1, 703. 95
Uncurrent coins transferred from Treasurv
Amount transferred from act Julv 14, 1890!
Partings, charges, and fractions purchased
Mutilated coiiis purchased .*
Surplus bullion purchased
Total
' 2,182,115.31 1 1,744,642.87
Used in coinage, calendar year 1900
Amount sold in sweeps
Wasted by operative officers
Balance on hand Jan. 1, 1901
1,817,788.53
1, 514, 653. 37
9,418.16
5, 394. 34
1 675. 86
375. 35
! 354,232.76
1 ’
224, 219. 81
Total
2, 182,115. 31
1,744,642.87
MINT AT NEW ORLEANS.
Silver bullion on hand Jan. 1, 1900
Uncurrent coins transferred from Treasury
Amount transferred from act July 14, 1890.
Partings, charges, and fractions puriJuised
Mutilated coins purchased
Surplus bullion purchased
Total
Used in coinage calendar year 1900
Amount .sold in sweeps
Wasted by operative officers
Balance on hand Jan. 1, 1901
Total
46, 422. 32
510, 790. 30
1,400,534.38
49, 585. 48
412. 74
11.75
2, 007, 756. 97 ■
1,950, 701.25
32, 324. 66
17,804.21
(i, 926. 85
2,007,756. 97
41,843.68
635,508.92
1,140, 475.62
27, 822. 19
225.26
5. 61
1,845,881.28
1,809,067.18
19,916.11
8, 503. 18
8, 394. 81
1,845.881.28
SUMMARY.
Silver bullion on hand Jan. 1, 1900
Uncurrent coins transferred from Treasury
Amount transferred from act July 14, 1890
Amount Porto Kican coins redeemed and melted
Partings, charges, and fractions purchased
Melted a.ssay coins purcha.sed
Mutilated coins purchased
Surplus bullion purchased
Total
Used in coinage, calendar year 1900
Amount sold in sweeps
Wasted by operative officers
Balance on hand Jan. 1, 1901
269,471.25
2, 902, 5 12. 96
6, 080, 770. 63
4,522,370.39
540, 847. 31
828. 03
2, 150. 77
14, 880. 39
14,333,861.73
9,110,031.60
51, 172. 17
27, 113. 24
5, 145, 544. 72
14, 333, 861. 73
250, 877. 11
3, 611, 250. 98
4, 951, 638. 71
3,419,521.08
296,570.35
989. 26
1,170.82
8, 824. 12
12, 540, 342. 43
8, 630, 289. 20
31,000.41
14,083.67
3. 864, 969. 15
12,540,342.43
Tobil
^ %
6 ie
•A
"X
PEECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
318
Xlll. — Coinage Executed at the Mints of the United
Denominations.
PHILADELPHIA.
Pieces.
Value.
GOLD.
Double eagles
1,874,584
293, 960
1,405,730
67, 205
$37,491,680.00
2. 939. 600. 00
7.028.650.00
168, 012. 50
Eagles
Half eagles
Quarter eagles
Total gold
3,641,479
47, 627, 942. 50
SILVER.
Dollars, act of July 14, 1890 ;
»8, 880,912
“8,880,912.00
Subsidiary:
Half dollars
4, 762, 912
10. 016. 912
17. 600. 912
2.381.456.00
2. 504. 228. 00
1,760,091.20
Quarter dollars
Dimes a.
Total subsidiary
32, 380, 736
6, 645, 775. 20
Total silver
41, 261, 648
15, 526, 687. 20
MINOR.
Five-cent nickels
27, 255, 995
66, 833, 764
1, 362, 799. 75
668, 337. 64
One-cent bronze
Total minor
94, 089, 759
2,031,137.39
Total coinage
138, 992, 886
65, 185, 767. 09
a Includes 50,000 Lafayette souvenir dollars, act March 3, 1899.
The mint at Philadelphia coined, in addition to the above, for the Government of
Costa Rica —
‘20-col6n pieces, gold 5, 000
10-col6n pieces, gold 140, 000
5-col6n pieces, gold 100, 000
2-col6n pieces, gold 125, OOO
Total 370,000
Value 81,047,041.40
PKECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
319
States during the Calendar Year ended December 31, 1900.
SAN FRANCISCO.
NEW ORLEANS.
TOTAL.
Pieces.
Value.
Pieces.
Value.
Pieces.
Value.
2, 459,600
81,000
329,000
849, 190, 000. 00
810, 000. 00
1, 645, 000. 00
4,334,084
374, 960
1,734,730
67,205
886, 681, 680. 00
3. 749. 600. 00
8.673.650.00
168,012.50
2, 869, 500
51,645,000.00
6, 510, 979
99,272,942.50
3, 640, 000
3,540,000.00
12, 690, 000
812,590,000.00
»26, 010,912
*25,010, 912.00
2,560,322
1,858,585
6, 168, 270
1, 280, 161. 00
464, 646. 25
616, 827. 00
2. 744.000
3. 416. 000
2. 010. 000
1, 372, 000. 00
854. 000. 00
201. 000. 00
10,067,234
15, 291, 497
24, 779, 182
5, 033, 617. 00
3,822,874.25
2, 477, 918. 20
9, 587, 177
2,261,634.25
8,170,000
2,427,000.00
60, 137, 913
11, 334, 409. 45
13, 127, 177
5,801,634.25
20, 760, 000
15, 017,000.00
75, 148,825
36, 345, 321. 46
27,255,995
66,833,764
1,362,799.75
668, 337. 64
94, 089, 759
2,031,137.39
15, 996, 677
57,446,634.25
20, 760, 000
15,017,000.00
175, 749, 563
137,649,401.34
a Includes 50,000 Lafayette souvenir dollars, act March 3, 1899.
Coinage of silver dollars:
Act of February 28, 1878 (Bland-Allison) $378,166,793
Act of July 14, 1890 (Sherman), as follows —
From July 14, 1890, to date of repeal of purchasing clause of Sherman
act, October 31, 1893 836,087,286
From November 1, 1893, to June 12, 1898 42, 139,872
Coined under war-revenue bill approved June 13, 1898 48, 916, 193
127,143,350
Act of March 3, 1891, recoinage of trade dollars 5,078,472
Total 510,888,616
320
PRJ5CIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
XIV. — Assets and Liabilities of the United States
ASSETS.
Institutions.
COINAGE MINTS.
Philadelphia
San Francisco
New Orleans
New Orleans (silver
bullion in transit) . . .
ASSAY OFFICES.
New York..
Carson
Denver
Helena
Boise
Charlotte ..
St. Louis . . .
Dead wood .
Seattle
Total.
Gold bullion.
Silver bullion.
Value of
gold bullion
shipped for
coinage.
Standard
ounces.
Value.
Standard
ounces.
Value (cost).
4, 334, 702. 035
S80, 645,619.25
61,485,469.25
$49, 804, 900. 24
1,484,249. 641
27, 613, 946. 76
1,614, 132.13
1,168,735.08
66,293.788
1,047,326. 26
9,771,801.85
7, 960, 077. 59
1,205, 000.88
981, 250. 34
2, 312, 776. 910
43,028,407.65
900, 327. 03
690, 475. 09
596. 752
11,102.36
2,517.34
1,342.60
30,585.546
569,033. 42
2,703.58
1,541.04
$i05, 36^35
1, 071. Ill
19, 927. 65
338.43
192. 91
2,353. 174
43, 779. 98
477. 30
272. 06
146. 407
2, 723. 86
27.88
15.89
276. 966
5, 134. 25
53.14
30.23
952. 237
17,716.04
296. 42
168. 96
4,845. 790
90, 154. 24
1,116. 23
636. 25
84, 448. 71
8,228,849.367
153,094,871.72
74,884,261.46
60, 609, 638. 28
189,814.06
LIABILITIES.
Institutions.
Bullion fund.
Undeposited
earnings.
COINAGE MINTS.
Philadelphia
$252,278,489.52
109, 967, 862. 36
23, 196, 743. 47
981,250.34
44, 648, 160. 31
167, 659. 72
1, 228, 538. 01
20,051.83
163, 502. 61
29,340. 18
16, 203. 89
74, 388, 04
1, 342, 020. 19
San Francisco
NeAV Orleans
New Orleans (silver bullion in transit)
ASSAY OFFICES.
New York
$1,672.00
237. 37
2,026.32
68. 73
1,234.31
171. 19
85.76
164.01
5,194.67
Carson
Denver
Helena
Boise
Charlotte
St. Louis
Dead wood
Seattle
Total
434, 113, 210. 47
10, 854. 35
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
821
Mints and Assay Offices, December 31, 1900.
ASSETS.
Gold coin.
Silver coin.
Credit balance
with assistant
treasurer and
depository
banks.
Minor coin.
Minor
coinage
metal.
Deflciencies.
Total.
838, 578, 467. 60
24, 304, 180. 00
347, 155. 00
883,488, 132.86
55, 196, 570. 53
13,990,211.73
8294,534.71
867, 664. 52
813, 543. 82
413, 557. 96
25,000.00
8252,892,862.90
110, 385, 363. 67
23,369, 770.58
981,2.50.34
t
44,686,406.97
167, 897. 09
1,230,564.33
20, 120. 56
164, 736. 92
29,511.37
16, 289. 64
74, 552. 05
1,349, 761.68
“81,688, 373.34
5, 620. 00
18, 468. 10
4, 320. 47
8, 518. 24
•>957, 583. 76
“ 52, 916. 04
554, 624. 52
75, 549. 75
120, 684. 88
26,771.62
11,125. 16
56, 667. 05
1, 174, 522. 48
63, 253, 890. 60
152, 687, 753. 83
4,643,268.85
294, 534. 71
67, 664. 52
527, 651. 53
435,369,088. 10
LIABILITIES.
Seigniorage on
silver.
Unpaid deposi-
tors.
Minor coinage
profits.
Minor coin
metal fund.
Unpaid cent
depositors and
subtreasury
transfers.
Total.
8146, 767. 58
312,212.28
173, 953. 32
8105, 406. 57
105, 289. 03
847, 291. 22
849, 255. 30
8265, 652. 71
8252, 892, 862. 90
110,385,363.67
23, 369, 770. 58
981,250.34
44, 686, 406. 97
167, 897. 09
1,230, 564.33
20, 120. 56
164, 736. 92
29,511.37
16, 289. 64
74,552.05
1,349, 761.68
73.79
36, 574. 66
. 2,546.82
632, 933. 18
249, 890. 87
47, 291. 22
49, 255. 30
265, 652. 71
435, 369, 088. 10
‘‘Gold coin. '>Gold c‘oin,SSt)4,23G.8T, silver coin, 863,346.95.
12066—01 21
322
PRECIOUS METALS IN' THE UNITED STATES
XV. — Unrefined Gold and Silver of Domestic Production, by Value, its Dis-
tribution BY States and Territories; also Refined Domestic Bullion (not
Distributed) Deposited at the Mints and Assay Offices from their Organi-
zation to the close of the Calendar Year ended December 31, 1900.
Locality.
Gold.
Silver.
Total.
Alabama
Alaska
S271.809. 48
9, 364, 820. 63
11, 865, 196. 67
785, 724, 700. 43
125. 82
§660. 67
90, 665. 93
14,181,818.25
4, 496, 197. 34
§272, 470. 15
9, 455, 486. 56
26, 047, 014. 92
790, 220, 897. 77
125. 82
Arizona
California
Connecticut
Colorado
85, 626, 618. 12
9, 965,519.54
41, 260, 546. 45
83.39
25, 181,385.73
10,645.88
2, 071, 204. 97
.43
110, 808, 003. 85
9, 976, 165. 42
43,331,751.42
83. 82
Georgia
Idaho
Indiana
Iowa
1,318. 17
69. 32
8.03
1,326.20
69.57
Kansas
.25
Maine
35, 703. 62
3, 719. 21
45. 11
39, 422. 83
Maryland
19, 535. 46
502,652.10
9,048.14
893. 61
19) 580. 57
4, 771, 026. 76
9,164.41
1,432.23
Michigan
4,268,374.66
116.27
Minnesota
Missouri
538. 62
Montana
85,030,031.02
2, 340. 26
43, 386, 429. 47
481.34
22, 469, 558. 08
273, 226. 13
105, 654, 366. 95
1.75
107, 499; 589. 10
275,566.39
149, 040, 796. 42
483. 09
Nebraska
Nevada
New HfliTipshire
New Mexico
7,111,146.58
1,058.83
7,206,110.81
.62
14, 317, 2.57. 39
1,059.45
New York
North Carolina
12, 048, 943. 57
26,398,154.71
2, 765, 737. 65
75,817,063.94
92, 481 . 05
70, 729. 80
169, 311. 64
6,551.68
1, 363, 206. 18
18.00
12,119,673.37
Oregon
26) 567) 466. 35
2, 772,289. 33
77, 180, 270. 12
92, 499. 05
South Carolina
Smith Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
11,451.02
4, 482, 448. 56
79, 850. 34
1, 785, 772. 90
1,781,082.13
243. 74
3,461.77
19,963,669. 44
93.68
14, 912. 79
24, 446,118.00
Utah
Vermont
79)944.02
Virginia
542. 18
1,786,315.08
Washington
34, 659. 07
3.72
1,815,741.20
West Virginia
' 247. 46
Wi serm sin
1,109.77
988, 570. 81
42, 210, 235. 39
38.54
1, 148. 31
Wvnminp’
14, 146. 36
1,002.717.17
Other sources
42, 962, 930. 58
85, 173, 165. 97
Unrefined
1, 248, 643, 274. 03
767, 683, 744. 19
250, 498, 008. 33
1,499, 141,282.36
1, 328, 599, 515. 45
Refined
560,915,771.26
Total
2, 016, 327, 018. 22
1 811, 413, 779. 59
1
2, 827, 740, 797. 81
XVI. — Product of Gold and Silver in the United States from 1792 to 1844,
AND Annually Since.
[The estimate for 1792-1873 is by R. W. Raymond, commissioner, and since by Director of the Mint.]
Years.
Gold.
Silver
(coining value).
Total.
Apr. 2, 1792-Jul V 31, 1834
§14, 000, 000
7, ,500, 000
1,008,000
1,140,000
889, 000
10, 000, 000
40,000,000
Insignificant.
§250, 000
§14, 000, 000
jnlv 31, 183‘1-Dec. 3i, 1844
7, 750, 000
184.5...! !
50. 000
1, 058, 000
1846
5o, 000
50, 000
1, 190, 000
1847
939, 0(X)
1848
50,000
10. 0. 50. 000
40.0. 50.000
1849
50, 000
18.50
50, 000, 000
50)000
50, 050, 000
18,51
55, 000, 000
50,000
65, 050, 000
18.52
60, 000, 000
50, 000
60,050,000
18.53
65.000. 000
60. 000. 000
55, 000. 000
50, 000
65,050,(X)C
18.54
50) 000
60, 0.50, 000
50, 000
55, 050, 000
18,56
55', 000, 000
55, 000, 000
50,000
55, 0.50, 000
1857
50) 000
65, 050, 000
1858
50, 000, 000
600, 000
50, 500, 000
18.59 y
50,000,000
100, 000
60,100,000
I860
46. 000. 000
43. 000. 000
39, 200, 000
150, 000
46,1.50,000
1861
2, 000, 000
45,000,000
1862
4,500,000
43, 700, 000
1863
40, 000, 000
8, 600, 000
48,500,000
1864
46, 100, 060
11,000,000
57, 100, 000
1865
53. 225, 000
11, 2.50, 000
64, 475, 000
53, .500! 000
10.060,000
63,500,000
1867
51 ; 725, 000
13,500,000
65, 225, 000
1868
48, 000, 000
12, 000, 000
60, 000, 000
1869
49, .500, 000
12, 000, 000
61,500,000
50, 000, 000
16, OOO, 000
66,000, 000
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
323
XVI. — Product of Gold and Silver in the United States from 1792 to 1844,
AND Annually Since — Continued.
Years.
1871
1872
1873
1874
1875,
1870
1877
1878,
1879
1880,
1881,
1882,
1883.
1884.
1885.
1886.
1887.
1888.
1889.
1890.
1891.
1892.
1893.
1894.
1895.
1896.
1897.
1898.
1899.
1900.
Total
Gold.
m, 500, 000
36, 000, 000
36,000,000
33.500.000
33.400.000
39. 900. 000
46.900.000
61.200.000
38. 900. 000
36.000. 000
34. 700. 000
32. 500. 000
30. 000. 000
30.800.000
31.800.000
35.000. 000
33.000. 000
33. 175.000
32.800.000
32.845.000
33. 175. 000
33, 000, 000
35. 955. 000
39. 500.000
46.610.000
63. 088. 000
57.363.000
64.463.000
71.063.000
79. 171. 000
2, 385, 085,000
Silver
(coining value).
823,000,000
28.750.000
35. 750. 000
37. 300. 000
31. 700. 000
38.800.000
39.800.000
45. 200. 000
40.800.000
39. 200. 000
43.000. 000
46. 800. 000
46. 200. 000
48.800.000
51.600.000
51.000. 000
53. 350. 000
69. 195. 000
64. 646. 000
70. 465.000
75. 417. 000
82.101.000
77.576.000
64.000. 000
72. 051. 000
76. 069. 000
69. 637. 000
70. 384. 000
70.807.000
74. 533. 000
1, 730, 331, 000
Totol.
866. 500. 000
64. 750. 000
71. 750. 000
70.800.000
65.100.000
78. 700. 000
86. 700. 000
96.400.000
79. 700. 000
75. 200. 000
77. 700. 000
79. 300. 000
76. 200. 000
79. 600. 000
83.400.000
86, 000, 000
86. 350. 000
92.370.000
97.446.000
103.310.000
108.592.000
115. 101. 000
113. 531. 000
103.500.000
118.661.000
129. 157. 000
127,000,000
134.847.000
141.860.000
153.704.000
4,115,416,000
XVII. — Precious Metal Product, United States and Mexico.
Wells, Fargo & Co.,
San Francisco, December 81, 1900. .
Dear Sir: The following is our annual report of precious metals produced in the
States and Territories west of the Missouri River (including British Columbia and
Yukon territory) during 1900, which shows in the aggregate: Gold, $99,100,733;
silver, $42,402,502; copper, $69,752,284; lead, $18,059,908; total gross result, $229,-
315,427. The “commercial” value at which the several metals named herein have
been estimated is: Silver, 61 cents per ounce; copper, 16 cents per pound, and lead,
$4.37 per hundredweight.
Allowance must always be made for probable variations from reported figures by
reason of constantly increasing facilities for transporting bullion, ores, and base metals
from the mines outside of the express and the difficulty of getting entirely reliable
data from private sources. Estimates obtained in this way are liable to be exagger-
ated and are, to a considerable degree, guesswork; but with some modifications on
this account, made herein, the general results reached, while only approximately
correct, may be accepted as the closest approximation possible under the circumstances.
States and Territories.
Gold dust
and bullion
by e.xpress.
Gold dust
and bullion
by other
conveyances.
Silver
bullion by
express.
Ores and
base bullion
by freight.
Total.
California
812,383,269
82, 038, 366
8202, 948
83, 766, 171
818, 390, 754
Nevada
1,638,230
1,169,283
514, 610
381,914
3, 703, 937
Oregon
1, 246, 564
1, 053, 050
131,420
5,000
2, 436, 034
Washington
Alaska
280, 487
56, 462
6, 949, 244
165, 353
173, 848
136, 066
5, 824, 787
42,474,000
13, 172, 426
676, 150
7,085,310
11,646,800
57,908,150
17,619, 378
Idaho
2, 150, 000
5,081,150
2, 148, 233
3, 672,013
10,370,000
183, 538
Montana
Utah
2, 115, 181
Colorado
27, 175, 000
353, 270
14, 960, 500
112, 004
5, 780, 730
2,277.047
47, 916, 230
3,349,545
New Mexico
607,224
Arizona
1,361,570
1, 393, 590
631, 840
17,819,029
21,206,029
Dakota
6, 150, 000
3,000
75, 000
140, 000
195, 300
11,000
75,000
6, 365, 000
198, 300
516, 000
Texas
Wvoming
British Columbia and Yukon
345, 000
85,000
territory
23, 344, .560
3, 750, 000
3, 203, 250
30, 297,810
Total
83, 373, 333
15, 727, 400
35, 040,426
95, 174,208
229,315,427
324
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
The gross yield for 1900, shown above, segregated, is approximately as follows:
Metal.
Per cent
of total.
Total value.
Gcild
43. 21
$99,100, 733
42, 402, 502
69, 752, 284
18, 059, 908
Silver
18. 49
Copper
30.42
Lead
7.88
Total
100
229, 315, 427
The year’s combined product of the metals herein treated of is the greatest in the
history of the countries — United States of America and British Columbia and Yukon
territory — that of gold, 199,100,733, being above any previous record officially
reported, but the world’s output of gold for 1900, approximately $236,000,000, shows
a decrease of about $68,000,000 from last year. Australasia decreased $6,000,000,
while the Boer war was the cause of falling away of the product of South Africa.
The British possessions of the Northwest increased $6,000,000 and the United States
of North America about $3,000,000.
Annual Products of Lead, Copper, Silver, and Gold in the States and Terri-
tories West of the Missouri River, Including British Columbia and Yukon
Territory, 1870-1900.
1870
1871
1872
•1873
1874
1875
1876
1877
1878
1879
1880
1881
1882
1883
1884
1885
1886
1887
1888
1889
1890
1891
1892
1893
1894
1895
1896
1897
1898
1899
1900
Year.
Product as per
W. F. & Co.
statements, in-
cluding amounts
from British
Columbia and
Yukon territory.
Product after
deducting-
amounts from
British Co-
lumbia and
Yukon terri-
tory.
854, 000, 000
58, 284, 000
62, 236, 959
72,258,693
74,401,045
80, 889, 057
90, 875, 173
98, 421, 75-1
81, 154, 622
75, 349, 501
80, 167, 936
84,504,417
92, 411, 835
90, 313, 612
84,975,954
90,181,260
103,011,761
104, 645, 959
114, 341, 592
127, 677, 836
127,166,410
118,237,441
111,531,700
104, 08’, 591
105, 113, 489
118, 164, 642
126, 289, 536
153, 435,469
177,022,666
203, 541, 907
229,315,427
852, 150, 000
55, 784, 000
60, 351, 824
70, 139, 860
71,965,610
76, 703, 433
87,219,859
95,811,582
78,276,167
72, 688, 888
77,232,512
81,198, 474
89, 207, 549
84, 639, 212
81, 633, 835
87, 311, 382
100, 160, 222
103, 327, 770
112, 665, 569
126, 723, 384
126, 804, 855
117, 946, 565
111,259,508
103, 827, 623
104, 844,112
117,896,988
121, 949, 536
142,853,469
159,359,466
179, 678, 966
199, 017, 617
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
325
The net products of the States and Territories west of the Missouri River, exclu-
sive of British Coluiubia and Yukon territory, divided, are as follows:
1870
1871
1872
1873
1874
1875
1876
1877
1878
1879
1880
1881
1882
1883
1884
1885
1886
1887
1888
1889
1890
1891
1892
1893
1894
1895
1896
1897
1898
1899
1900
Year.
Lead.
Copper.
Silver.
Gold.
$1,080,000
2, 100, 000
2, 250, UOO
3.450.000
3. 800. 000
5.100.000
5. 040. 000
5, 085, 250
3. 452. 000
4, 185, 769
5,742,390 j
6, 361, 902
8, 008, 155
8, 163, 550
6,834,091
8, 562, 991
9, 185, 192
9,631,073
11,263,630
14, 593, 323
11,509,571
12, 385, 780
11, 433, 947
7, 756, 040
8, 223, 513
7, 170, 367
6,536,026
8, 775, 144
11, 894, 251
13, 667, 248
16, 552, 408
$898, 000
1,195,000
4, 055, 037
5,683,921
6, 086, 252
7, 838, 036
9, 276, 755
10, 362, 746
18, 261, 490
14, 793, 763
20, 569, 092
13, 261, 6C3
19, 370, 516
23, 631, 339
22,276,294
27, 052, 115
28, 713, 305
36, 388, 694
45, 897, 648
58, 849, 994
68, 056, 534
$17, 320, 000
19,286,000
19, 924, 429
27, 483, 302
29, 699, 122
31,635,239
39.292.924
45, 846, 109
37, 248, 137
37, 032, 857
38, 033, 055
42, 987, 613
48, 133, 039
42,975, 101
43.529.925
44, 516, 599
52, 136, 851
50,833,884
53, 152, 747
64, 808, 637
62, 930, 831
60, 614, 004
50, 607, 601
38, 491, 521
28, 721, 014
35, 274, 777
33, 684, 963
34, 034, 034
35,081,365
34, 594, 498
38, 652, 502
$33, 750, 000
34,398,000
38, 177, 395
39, 206, 558
38, 466, 488
39,968,194
42,886, 935
44,880,223
37,576,030
31,470,262
32. 559. 067
30, 653, 959
29, oil, 318
27, 816, 640
25, 183, 567
26,393,756
29, 561, 424
32. 500. 067
29, 987, 702
32, 527, 661
31, 795, 361
31, 685, 118
29, 847, 444
33, 948, 723
45, 623, 291
48, 399, 729
53, 015, 242
63,655,597
66, 486, 202
72, .567, 226
75, 756, 173
The exports of silver during the past year to Japan, China, the Straits, etc., have
been as follows: From London, $53,091,033; from San Francisco, $9,434,690. Total,
$62,525,723, as against $39,886,795 last year. Pounds sterling estimated at $4.8665.
Statement of the Product of Gold and Silver in the Republic of Mexico,
Revised and Corrected from 1877 to 1900 (Values upon Mintage Basis).
Year.
1877- 78..
1878- 79..
1879- 80..
1880- 81..
1881-82..
1882-83..
188:3-84..
1884-85. .
188.5-86..
1886- 87..
1887- 88..
1888- 89..
1889- 90..
1890- 91..
1891- 92..
1892- 93..
1893- 94..
1894- 95..
1895- 96..
1896- 97..
1897- 98..
1898- 99..
1899- 1900
Gold.
$747, 000
881,000
942. 000
1.013.000
937. 000
956. 000
1. 055. 000
914. 000
1.026.000
1. 047. 000
1. 031. 000
1. 040. 000
1. 100. 000
1.150. 000
1.275.000
1.400.000
1.425.000
4.750.000
5. 475. 000
8. 500. 000
9. 925. 000
10,112,000
9.750. 000
66,451,000
Silver.
$24, 837, 000
25. 125. 000
26. 800. 000
29. 234. 000
29.329.000
29. 569. 000
31. 695. 000
33.226.000
34. 112. 000
34. 600. 000
34. 912. 000
40. 706. 000
41.500.000
43, 000, 000
45. 750. 000
48. 500. 000
47. 250. 000
64. 225. 000
54. 450. 000
60. 683. 000
67, 525, COO
65. 310. 000
67. 800. 000
970, 138, 000
Total.
$25, 584, 000
26, 006, 000
27. 742. 000
30, 247, 000
30. 266. 000
30. 525. 000
32. 750. 000
34. 140. 000
35. 138. 000
35. 647. 000
35. 943. 000
41. 746. 000
42. 600. 000
44. 150. 000
47. 025. 000
49. 900. 000
48. 675. 000
58. 975. 000
59. 925. 000
69. 183. 000
77. 450. 000
75. 422. 000
77. 550. 000
1 , 036, 589, 000
Total
326
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
Exhibit of Coinage of Gold, Silver, and Copper in the Republic of Mexico
FROM THE 1st OF JULY, 1873, TO THE 30tH OF JuNE, 1900.
Year.
Gold dollars.
Silver dol-
lars.
Copper dol-
lars.
1873-74
866, 743
862, 619
809, 401
695, 750
691,998
658, 206
521,826
492, 068
•452,590
407, 600
328, 698
423, 250
425, 000
18, 846,067
19, 386, 958
19,454,054
21,415, 128
22, 084, 203
22,162,987
24, 018, 528
24, 617, 395
25, 146, 260
24, 083, 921
25, 377, 379
25,840, 728
25. 850. 000
25. 600. 000
26.711.000
25, 274, 500
24,328,326
24. 238. 000
25. 527. 000
27. 169, 876
30, 185, 611
27, 628, 981
22, 634, 788
19,296,009
21, 427, 057
20, 184,117
18, 102, 630
15, 96&
1874-75
21,712
1875-76
30! 654
1876-77
9i 035
1877- 78
1878- 79
41 ; 364
16,300
1879-80
14.035
1880-81
42, 258
1881-82
11,972
1882- 83
1883- 84 :
1884-85
1885-86
1886-87
4io;ooo
340, 320
305, 100
243, 298
308, 000
291,940
361, 672
553, 978
545, 237
565, 786
453, 474
459, 219
715, 882
598, 086
1887- 88
1888- 89
1889-90
1890-91
1891-92
1892-93
1893-94
1894-95
1895-96
1896-97
1897-98
1898-99
1899-1900
Total
13, 787, 741
636,591,503
203, 296
Summary. — Totals: Gold, 813,787,741;
Grand total, $650,582,540.
silver, §636,591,503; copper, $203,296.
Exhibit of the Coinage of Mexico from the Establishment of the Mints in
1537 to the end of the Fiscal Year of 1900.
Gold.
Silver.
Copper.
Total.
COLONIAL EPOCH.
Unmilled coin, from 1537 to 1731
Pillar coin, 1732 to 1771
Bn.st coin, 1772 to 1821
Total
S8, 497, 950
19,889,014
40, 391,447
S752, 067, 456
441,629,211
888, 563, 989
S200, 000
342, 893
S760, 765, 406
461,518,225
929, 298, 329
68,778,411 1 2,082,260,656
542,893
2, 151,581,960
INDEPENDENCE.
Itnrbide’s imperial bust, from 1822 to 1823
Republic eagle, 1824 to June 30, 1873
Total
557, 392
45, 040, 628
18, 575, 569
740, 246, 485
5, 235, 177
19, 132, 961
790, 522, 290
45, 598, 020
758,822,054
1. / /
809, 655, 251
P.EPUBLIC.
Eagle coin, from July 1, 1873, to June 30, 1900.
:
13,787,741 636,591,503
203, 296
650, 582, ;540
Summary. — Colonial epoch, from 1537 to 1821, $2,151,581,960; independence, from
1822 to 1873, $809,655,251; Republic, from 1873 to 1900, $650,582,540. Total,
$3,611,819,751.
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
827
XVIII. — IIiGiiEST, Lowest, and Avekage Pkice oe Bar Silver in London, per
Ounce British Standard (.925), since 1833, and the Equivalent in United
States Gold Coin of an Ounce 1,000 Fine, taken at the Average Price.
Calendar
years.
1S33
1S3-1
1S35
1836
1837
1838
1839
1840
1841
1842
1843
1844
1845
1846
1847
1848
1849
1850,
1851
1852
1853
1854
1855
1856
1857
1858
1859
1860
1861
1862
1863
1864
1865.
1866,
Highest
quota-
tion.
Lowest
quota-
tion.
Aver-
age
quota-
tion.
Value
of a line
ounce at
average
quotation.
Calendar
! years.
Highest
quota-
tion.
Lowest
quota-
tion.
Aver-
age
quota-
tion.
d.
d.
d.
Dollars.
d.
d.
d.
59J
58?
59^
1.297
1867
61?
60?
60*
60i
59?
59?|
1.313
1868
61?
60?
60?
60
59?
59H
1.308
1869
61
60
60*
60?
59?
60
1.315
1870
60?
60?
60*
60?
59
59x%
1.305 '
1871
61
60*
GO?
60|
59?
59?
1.304
1872
61?
59?
60*
60?
60
60?
1.323
1873
59[?
57?
59*
60?
60?
60?
1.323
1874
59?
57?
os*
60?
59?
60*
1.316
1875
57?
55?
56}?
60
59?
59*
1.303
1876
58?
46?
53?
59?
59
59*
1.297
1877
58?
53?
54}g
59?
59?
59?
1.304
1878
55?
49?
52?
59?
58?
59?
1.298
1879
53?
58?
51?
60?
59
59*
1.300
1880
52?g
51?
52?
60?
58?
59?i
1.308
1881
52?
50?
51?
60
58?
59?
1.304
1882
52?
50
51}g
60
•59?
59?
1.309
1883
51*
50*
50*
61?
59?
61*
1.316
1884
51?
49?
50}?
61?
60
61
1.337
1885
50
46?
48*
61?
59?
60?
1.326
1886
47
42
45?
61?
60?
61?
1.348
1887
47?
43?
44}?
61?
60?
bly
1.348
1888
44‘*
41?
42?
61?
60
61*
1.344
1889
44?
41??
42}?
62{-
60?
61*
1.344
1890
54?
43?
47?
62?
61
61?
1.353
1891
48?
43?
45*
61?
60?
61*
1.344
1892
43?
^71
0/0
39?
62?
61?
6->*
1. 360
1893
38?
30?
35*
62?
61?
61H
1 1
i.352
1894
31?
27
28}g
61?
60?
60}|
.1.333
1895
31?
27 *
29}|
62?
61
61*
G.346
1896
31?i
29?
30}§
61?
61
61?
'1.345
1897
29?g
23?
27*
62?
GO?
61?
t
1.345
1898
28?
25
26}?
61?
60?
61*
7?.'a.338
1899
29
26?
27*
62?
60?
61?
1.339
1900
30?
27
28*
Value
of a fine
ounce at
average
quotation
Dolhtrs.
328
1.326
' 1.325
- 1.328
^ 1.326
r, 7 1.322
»fJl. 29769
27883
*wooo
J,il. 15358
** 1. 12392
14507
'>,'1.13229
'Jo. 13562^
1. 10874P . ,
1.11068Ta.<
1. 06510T fi q
. 99467 iv'r
.97946q^Li
.93974 , f'n
.93511 ii*-.
1.04634 -jV-i
. 98800 'I'X >
.87145
.78030 t-.T
03479 y, I «
^.65406
t 8^ . 67565
'H.li 60438
u 3. U 59010
q 43. 60154
^ ' .62007
XIX. — Commercial R.vtio of Silver to Gold each Year since 1687.
[Note. — From 1687 to 1832 the ratios are taken from Dr. A. Soetbeer; from 1833 to 1878 from Pixley and
Abell’s tables; and from 1879 to 1896 from daily cablegrams from London to the Bureau of the Mint.]
Years.
Ratio.
Years.
Ratio.
Years.
Ratio.
lears.
Ratio.
Years.
Ratio.
Yeans.
Ratio.
1687....
14.94
1723...
15. 20
1759...
14.15
1795. . .
15. 55
1831...
15.72
1867....
15.57
1688....
14.94
1724...
15.11
1760...
14. 14
1796...
15. 65
1832...
15. 73
1868....
15.59
1689....
15.02
1725...
15.11
1761...
14.54
1797...
15.41
1833...
15. 93
1869....
15. 60
1690....
15. 02
1726...
15. 15
1762...
15. 27
1798...
15. 59 ,
1834...
15. 73
1870....
15.57
1691....
14.98
1727...
15. 24
1763...
14.99
,1799...
15.74
1835...
15.80
1871....
15. 57
1692....
14.92
1728...
15.11
1764...
14. 70
1800...
15. 68
1836 ..
15. 72
1872....
15.63
1693....
14.83
1729...
14. 92
1765...
14.83
1801...
15.46
1837...
15. 83
1873. . . .
15.93
1694....
14.87
1730...
14. 81
1766. . .
14. 80
1802...
15. 26
1838...
15. 85
1874....
16. 16
1695....
15. 02
1731...
14.94
1767
14. 85
1803...
15.41
1839...
15. 62
1875....
16. 64
1696....
15.00
1732...
15. 09
1768...
14.80
1804...
15.41
1840...
15. 62
1876....
17.75
1697....
15. 20
1733...
15. 18
1769...
14. 72
1805...
15. 79
1841...
15. 70
1877....
17. 20
1698....
15.07
1734...
15. 39
1770...
14.62
1806...
15.52
1842...
15.87
1878....
17.92
1699....
14.94
1735...
15.41
1771...
14. 66
1807...
15. 43
1843...
15.93
1879....
18.39
1700....
14.81
1736...
15. 18
1772...
14.52
1808...
16. 08
1844...
15.85
1880....
18.05
1701....
15. 07
1737...
15. 02
1773...
14.62
1809...
15. 96
1845. . .
15. 92
1881....
18. 25
1702....
15. 52
1738...
14.91
1774...
14. 62
1810...
15. 77
1846...
15. 90
1882....
18. 20
1703....
15. 17
1739...
14.91
1775
14.72
1811...
15.53
1847...
15.80
1883....
18.64
1704....
15. 22
1740...
14.94
1776...
14.55
1812...
16.11
1848...
15. 85
1884....
18.61
1705
15.11
1741...
14.92
1777...
14. 54'
1813...
16.25
1849...
15.78
1885....
19. 41
1706....
15.27
1742...
14.85
1778...
14.68
1814...
15. 04
1850...
15. 70
1886....
20. 78
1707....
15. 44
1743...
14.85
1779. . .
14.80
1815...
15. 26
1851...
15. 46
1887....
21.10
1708....
15. 41
1744...
14.87
1780...
14.72
1816...
15.28
1852...
15. 59
1888....
22.00
1709....
15. 31
1745...
14.98
1781...
14.78
1817...
15.11
1853...
15. 33
1889....
22. 10
1710....
15. 22
1746...
15. 13
1782...
14. 42
1818...
15. 35
1854...
15.33
1890. . . .
19. 75
1711....
15.29
1747...
15. 26
1783. . .
14.48
1819...
15.33
1855...
15.38
1891....
20.92
1712....
15. 31
1748...
15.11
1784...
14.70
1820...
15. 62
1856...
15. 38
1892....
23.72
1713....
15.24
1749...
14.80
1785...
14. 92
1821...
15.95
1857...
15.27
1893....
26. 49
1714....
15. 13
1750...
14. 55
1786...
14.96
1822...
15. 80
1858...
15. 38
1894....
32.56
1715
15. 11
1751...
14. 39
1787...
14.92
1823...
15.84
1859. . .
15. 19
1895. . . .
31.60
1716....
15. 09
1752...
14.54
1788...
14.65
1824...
15.82
1860...
15. 29
1896....
30.59
1717....
15. 13
17.53...
14.54
1789...
14. 75
1825...
15.70
1861...
15. 50
1897....
34.20
1718....
1.5.11
1754...
14.48
1790...
15.04
1826...
15. 76
1862...
15.35
1898....
35.03
1719....
15. 09
1755...
14.68
1791...
15. 05
1827...
15. 74
1863...
15. 37
1899....
34.36
1720....
15. 04
1756...
14.94
1792...
15.17
1828. . .
15.78
1864...
15. 37
1900....
3:3.33
1721....
15. 05
17.57...
14.87
1793...
15.00
1829...
1.5.78
1865
15.44
1722....
15.17
17.58...
14.85
1794...
•
15. 37
1830...
15. 82
1866...
15. 43
328
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
XX. — Imports of Gold and Silver, by Customs
[Compiled by the
Customs districts.
♦
GOLD.
Gold con-
tained in
ore.
Bullion.
Coin.
Total
gold.
United
States.
Foreign.
Bangor, Me
Dollars.
Ounces.
891
3, 229
Dollars.
17, 540
63,520
Dollars.
Dollars.
Dollars.
17, 540
94, 093
333
53, 029
11,292 991
289, 633
60, 787
9, 257
Boston and Charlestown, Mass ..
Charleston, S. C
3,840
2,400
24, 333
333
Newark, N. J
53,029
871, 473
New York, N. Y
“331,900
14, 294
6,811,759
289, 633
1, 636, 755
1,973,004
Passamaquoddv, Me
Perth Amboy, N. J
60, 787
Philadelphia, Pa
10
9,247
Brazos de Santiago, Tex
Corpus Christi, Tex
12, 933
80, 798
1, 683, 612
159, 607
6, 030
15, 935
1, 856, 152
6, 232
298,510
292. 999
165, 950
16, 106, 143
1,248, 686
50
4, 441, 062
70, 010
25,002,289
355, 369
3. 596, 988
' 380, 704
245
Mobile, Ala
202
New Orleans, La
15,350
29
8,556
78, 207
56, 041
282. 575
'577
165, 950
1, 262, 393
1, 120, 182
Paso del Norte, Tex
292, 422
Saluria,Tex
Alaska
14,834,574
128, 504
50
3, 394, 679
5, 720
133, 773
9, 176
Arizona
Los Angeles, Cal
Puget Sound, Wash
66, 720
4,019
16,807
20, 001
4, 736
971,316
60, 290
361, 248
355, 369
80, 270
75, 067
4,000
465,020
San Diego, Cal
San Francisco, (Jal
24, 042, 248
Buffalo Creek, N. Y
Champlain, N. Y
2, 650, 466
866, 252
3,092
Chicago, 111
377, 612
Detroit, Mich
14
245
Huron, Mich
Minnesota, Minn
13, 682
13,682
Montana and Idaho
Niagara, N. Y
1,118
5, 170
99, 390
95, 000
4, 867
200, 375
North and South Dakota
Oswegatchie, N. Y
860, 047
442
1,143
860, 047
34, 785
1,143
Vermont, Vt
1,911
32, 593
1,750
Denver, Colo
Omaha, Nebr
;
Total
21,045,828
708, 673
13,658,462 5,110,290
26, 934, .504
66. 749, 064
“Includes ounces 155,896, ^3,211,444 United States mint or assay oflice bars.
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
329
Districts, during the Calendar Year 1900.
Bureau of Statistics.]
SILVER.
Silver contained
Coin.
in ore.
Bullion.
United States.
Foreign.
Total silver.
Dollars.
Ounces.
Dollars.
Dollars.
Dollars.
Dollars.
2, 433
2, 484
112 658
13, /yy, 14 i
3, 287, i52
613, 943
17,746,525
OQ 0^0
486
23, 253
731,540
6,421
199, 527
11, 743, 603
826, 002
442, 595
257, 209
158, 012
130, 933
5, 875
197, 596
4, 825, 489
26, 180
•
1 Q*^l
5, 976, 544
1, 650, 096
941, 570
318
1, 601, 090
799, 504
864, 709
497, 172
1,231,192
48, 142
630, 822
3, 247, 400
3, 550
2, 285, 782
1,813
20, 393
695, 094
3, 453, 371
1,813
29, 879
422, 072
dO
Zvf o/ y
2,250
Liz
1,305
664
Zy 2D0
664
409
23, 383
14, 132
7,100
28, 017
yoy,
21,641
348, 255
320, 238
190, 776
3, 977
2, 398
1,852
79, 761
4, ZOi)
43, 000
i *} y i Ox
43, 000
25, 404, 378
13, 132, 147
7, 988, 799
185, 844
6, 521, 322
40, 100, 343
330
PEECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
XXI, — Imports of Gold and Silver, by Coun
[Compiled by the
Countries.
Azores, and Madeira Islands
France
Germany
United Kingdom
British Honduras
Dominion of Canada:
Nova Scotia, New Brunswick,
etc
Quebec, Ontario, etc
British Columbia
Newfoundland and Labrador
Central American States:
Costa Rica
Guatemala
Honduras
Nicaragua
Salvador
Mexico
West Indies:
British
Cuba
Danish
Dutch
Haiti
Porto Rico
Santo Domingo
Brazil
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
Guiauas— British
Dutch
Peru
Venezuela
China
Hongkong
.Tapan
British Australasia
German Oceania
Hawaii
Total.
GOLD.
Gold con-
tained in
ore.
Dollars.
69, 588
3,840
1,833,541
17,687,754
540
1, 448, 644
1,143
778
2P, 045, 828
Bullion.
Ounces.
4,038
>‘291, 192
325
18, 414
31,311
152. 001
5, 151
410
4,162
16, 014
33
165, 307
1,310
82
70
34
60
16
508
13, 940
3,620
6
250
52
367
708, 673
Dollars.
83, 197
5, 972, 577
5, 868
370, 693
557, 404
2, 384, 972
107, 290
8,406
83, 919
299, 095
719
3,365,481
27,059
1,700
1,477
700
1,243
329
10, 476
287,187
74,629
129
5.164
1.165
7,583
13, 658, 462
Coin.
United
States.
Dollars.
32, 970
1,000,000
19, 010
246, 822
17, 000
2,400
2, 745, 466
75, 067
174
5, 460
17, 095
2,045
9,513
3,600
244, 151
96, 776
45, 810
18, 265
74, 975
1,645
10,725
3,100
625
17, 783
3,000
'49,'079
2,964
5, 630
359, 140
5, 110, 290
Foreign.
Dollars.
3, 197
788, 562
654, 135
325, 771
872, 869
9,176
132
1,000
4, 166
333
13,020
35,029
161,784
4,564
4,211
4,721
’i8,’554'
3,000
3, 000
6, 944, 530
17, 082, 750
Total
gold.
26, 934, 504
Dollars.
36, 167
1,788,562
756, 342
6, 614, 758
22, 868
376,933
6, 009, 280
20. 156, 969
. 306
113, 750
30, 207
86, 297
308,608
4,319
5, 071, 296
158,864
163,484
50,374
23, 953
75, 675
2,888
15, 775
3,100
12, 244
323,524
74, 629
129
8.164
1.165
59, 662
3,000
778
6,947,494
17,088,380
359, 140
66, 749, 084
Includes ounces 155,896, S3,211,444 United States mint or assay office bars.
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
331
TRIES, DURING THE CALENDAR YeAR 1900.
Bureau of Statistics.]
SILVER.
Silver contained
in ore.
Bullion.
Coin.
Total silver.
United States.
Foreign.
Dollars.
Oimces.
Dollars.
Dollars.
470
Dollars.
Dollars.
470
2,595
2,595
59, 514
6,553
3,933
622
'166
866
69,098
48, 142
1,540
453
377
1,943
6,609
166,903
70, 678
167,069-
866
111,173
2,558,785
2,261
400, 485
35, 655
332, 789
30, 473
5,042
33,078,666
16, 905
203
11, 899
3,086
10, 150
35, 000
2, 498, 711
12, 832
19, 383
7,075
11, 932
721
88, 576
33, 075
32, 467
29, 473
3,542
5,801,140
6,561
518, 892
3, 671
494.300
1,666
2,300
11, 135, 522
311,456
2,203
296,581
1,000
1,500
6, 790, 901
1,798
20, 485, 127
1,498
10,344
3
9,314
1,075
333
200
2,585
1,388
10, 150
1,038
623
18, 705
92, 578
111,283
2, 194, 509
15, 465
746, 289
189, 043
447, 774
113,426
2,817
144, 331
2, 645, 100
273, 343
121
87, 593
87,593
114,245
325
195
114, 440
934
4,845
9
22, 718
714
220
4,845
9
20, 393
2, 325
828
828
25, 404, 378
13, 132, 147
7, 988, 799
185, 844
6, 521, 322
40, 100, 343
332
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
XXII. — Exports, by Customs Districts akd Countries, of Domestic Gold
[Compiled by the
Customs districts and
countries.
GOLD.
Gold con-
tained
in ore.
Bullion.
Coin.
Total
gold.
United States mint or
assay office bars.
Other.
CUSTOMS DISTRICTS.
Bangor, Me
Dollars.
Ounces.
Dollars.
Ounces.
Dollars.
Dollars.
Dollars.
Boston and Charlestown,
Mass
15.000
12,061,811
5,000
10. 000
15. 000
46,681,474
5,000
10. 000
New York, N. Y'
51,153
1,693,933
34, 568, 510
Philadelphia, Pa
Mobile, Ala
Saluria, Tex
Alaska
1,800
1,800
41, .596
32, 374
470, 857
23, 494
4, 608, 918
205
696. 328
Hawaii
41, 596
15, 323
465, 117
Puget Sound, Wash
16, 930
6
121
San Francisco, Cal
264
5,740
Buffalo Creek, N. Y
1,141
23, 494
Champlain, N.
4, 608, 918
205
602. 640
Memphremagog, Vt
Niagara, N.Y
4,707
22
93, 688
434
Vermont, Vt
43
200;000 1 200^477
Total
COUNTRIES.
France
69, 926
1, 694, 197
34, 574, 250
5,876
117, 737
18,025,610 152,787,523
748. 266
226. 267
15, 182, 481
4, 600, 709
1, 900, 000
500,000
2,000
4, 152,400
17, 082, 481
5, 119, 989
2,000
18,966,593
Germany
19, 280
Netherlands
United Kingdom
31,873
719, 244
14, 782, 320
Dominion of Canada:
Nova Scotia, New
Brunswick, etc
Quebec, Ontario, etc
British Columbia
43
18, 730
5,870
6
117, 616
121
5,411,763
15,323
5,750
5,300
3,000
600
16, 335
70, 905
10, 000
115, 385
54,000
17,110
556, 578
712, 196
2, 460, 000
38, 897
100
5,529,422
34, 174
6, 750
5, 300
8,000
600
16, 335
73, 905
10,000
115, 385
54,000
17,110
556, 578
712, 196
2, 460, 000
38, 897
100
Central American States:
Costa Rica
dnntPTnaln
Honduras
Nicaragua
Salvador
Mexico
156
3,000
Miquelon, Langley, etc
Wek Indies:-
British
Cuba
Dutch
Haiti
Santo Domingo
Argentina
Colombia
Ecuador
Gnianns — Rritisli
Dutch
Venezuela
1,491,490
1,491,490
1,600
206, 472
China
75
189
1,600
4,140
Hongkong
202, 332
.Tapan
British Australasia
8,116
276, 030
8,116
276, 030
Hawaii
•
Total
69, 926
1,694,197
34,574,250 j 5,876
117,737
18, 025, 610
52, 787, 523
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
833
AND Silver from the United States during the Calendar Year 1900.
Bureau of Statistics.]
SILVER.
Silver con-
tained in ore.
Bullion.
Coin.
Total silver.
United States mint or a.ssay
otRce bars.
Other.
Dollars.
Ounces.
Dollars.
Ounces.
31
Dollars.
23
Dollai-s.
Dollars.
23
51-5, 755
85, 448, 982
52, 608, 544
335, 045
53, 459, 344
;
825
500
500
2,081,316
7, 400, 260
53, 909
1,130,000
4, 499, 436
31, 397
31,843
59, 250
1,161,843
4, 558, 686
31,397
10, 658
250
42, 784
7,183
.
io, 658
374
62, 205
11, 881
250
36, 829
7,176
5, 955
7
oID) / 00
95, 059, 783
58, 314, 155
442, 758
59, 272, 668
1,201,238
736, 502
1,000
500
737, 562
43, 136
42, 636
473,119
84, 245, 812
31
128, 369
51,870, 790
23
75, 652
52, 343, 909
23
92, 272
31,843
16, 620
31,843
825
500
500
8, 875
21, 623
3
5,000
298, 044
8, 875
21, 623
3
5,000
298, 044
300
1,632
* i92
1,000
192
1,000
4, 342, 367
5, 058, 909
80, 300
2, 473, 742
3, 105, 894
49, 800
2, 473, 742
3, 105, 894
49,800
1
59,250
59, 250
515, 755
95, 059, 783
58, 314, 155
442, 758
59, 272, 668
-
334
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
XXm. — Exports, by Customs Districts and Countries, of Foreign Gold
[Compiled by the
Customs districts and countries.
CUSTOMS DISTRICTS.
Baltimore, Md
New York, N. Y
Brazos de Santiago, Tex
Corpus Christi, Tex
New Orleans, La
San Francisco, Cal
Champlain, N. Y
Detroit, Mich
Memphremagog, Vt
Vermont, Vt
Total
COUNTRIES.
France
Germany
United Kingdom
Bermuda
Dominion of Canada:
Quebec, Ontario, etc .
•Central American States:
Guatemala
Honduras
Nicaragua
Salvador
Mexico
Vest Indies:
British
Cuba
Santo Domingo
Brazil
Colombia
Guianas — British
Venezuela
Hongkong
Japan
French Oceania
GOLD.
Gold
contained
in ore.
Dollars.
Bullion.
Ounces.
1
50
51
51
Dollars.
Coin.
Dollars.
1,100, 173
12
838
193, 704
48, 873
3,500
850 \ 1,346,2.50
850
77, 000
2, 280
146, 175
246, 077
Total
gold.
Dollars.
1,100,173
193, 704
48, 873
12
4,338
1, 347, 100
77,000
2,280
146, 175
246, 927
866, 616
4,249
866, 616
4,249
3,853
3, 853
Total
51
850
1,346,250
1, 347, 100
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
335
AND Silver from the United States dlring the Calendar Year 1900.
Bureau of Statistics.]
SILVER.
Silver contained in
ore.
Dollars.
Bullion.
Ounces.
GO
Dollars.
38
Coin.
Dollars.
1,000
1,693,000
10, 47-2
17, 620
19, 930
5, 028, 329
53, 903
78, 577
46, 127
Total silver.
Dollars.
1,000
1, 693, 000
10,472
17, 620
19, 930
5, 028, 329
53, 903
78, 577
38
46, 127
60
38
6, 948, 958
6, 948, 996
4,931
1, 563, 650
4,931
1, 563, 650
60
38
178, 607
2,300
41,400
19, 930
17, 867
30, 592
25, 769
178, 645
2,300
41, 400
19, 930
17, 867
30, 592
25, 769
5, 622
31, 680
1,365
3,916
1,000
5, 002, 612
16, 437
1,280
5, 622
31,680
1,365
3,916
1,000
5, 002, 612
16, 437
1,280
60
38
6, 948, 958
6, 948, 996
336
PKECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
XXIV. — Summary of Imports and Exports of Gold and Silver during toe
Calendar Year 1900.
[Compiled by the Bureau of Statistics.]
Kind of coin and bullion.
GOLD.
'Ore
Bullion
Coin:
United States
Foreign
Total
SILVER.
Ore
Bullion
Coin:
United States
Foreign
Total
Total gold and .silver
Imports.
Exports.
Domestic.
Foreign.
Total.
$21, 045, 828
13, 658, 462
$159, 926
34,691,987
$69, 926
34,692,837
$850
5, 110, 290
26, 934, 504
18, 025, 610
18,025, 610
1,346,250
1, 346, 250
66, 749, 084
52, 787, 523
1,347,100
54, 134, 623
25, 404, 378
7, 988, 799
515, 755
58, 314, 155
515, 755
58, 314, 193
38
185, 844
6, 521, 322
442, 758
442, 758
6, 948, 958
6, 948, 958
40, 100, 343
59, 272, 668
6, 948, 996
66,221,664
106, 849, 427
112,060, 191
8, 296, 096
120,356,287
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
337
XXV. — Coinage of Nationk.
Countries.
1898.
1899.
1900.
Gold.
Silver.
Gold.
Silver.
Gold.
Silver.
United States
$77, 985, 758
599, 442
28,20t,336
39,453, 387
$23,031,033
22, 066, 445
6, 200, 237
$111,344,220
676, 063
43, 852, 085
46, 926, 487
$26,061,520
18, 749, 740
7, 910, 885
$99, 272, 943
568, 825
63, 769, 609
48, 782,482
$36,34.5,321
17,097,050
10, 107, 818
Mexico
Great Britain
Australasia
India
®26, 686, 134
7,720,000
3, 704, 600
21,373,189
1, 369, 352
>>7,221,063
5,211,000
4,346,302
20, 967, 769
3, 176, 050
1.5, 322
14,884,262
485, 9.50
28, 950
>>65,482,993
1,099,421
5, 645, 281
3, 946, 971
4, 937, 839
France
34,224,022
42, 075, 087
135, 788, 949
14, 307, 303
112
10,419,111
33, 628, 4.53
194,481,077
4, 992, 663
9,178
4, 863, 650
5, 799, 424
34, 680, 396
83,221,525
3,575, 517
Germany
Russia®
Austria-Hungary
Lichtenstein
Spain
3, 188, 055
3,804,8.52
157, 767
Italy
528, 6.50
7, 720
143. 399
8, 159,857
1,100,844
562, 800
147. 400
795, 072
53,800
96, 500
424,600
442, 721
1,022
856,114
401,440
5.964.000
3. 150. 000
4,589,800
347
217,000
39,804
San Marino
Servia
Japan
10,002,641
8, 705, 377
4,363,709
2, 754, 000
265, 320
160, 800
248, 910
136,548
96, 500
115,800
248, 330
1,022
5,567,128
1.295.8.50
648. 000
1.236.1.50
134.000
101,517
80, 788
I’ortugal
Netherlands
437,259
724, 452
804,312
Norway
Sweden
1,680,022
267, 046
1,5.37,641
558, .507
1,082,870
Denmark
Belgium
Switzerland
1,544,000
1,388,586
1,158,000
279, 871
1,544,000
342, 093
147,645
7, 852
2, 044
605,544
.50
Turkey
Arabia
Egypt
Abyssinia
201,724
Persia
85, 200
Hongkong
34,596, 185
5,733,397
347
398, 895
100,000
10,000
5, 4.50, 000
14,620,9.57
347
589.000
100.000
Indo-China
Tunis
579, 232
579, 232
579, 232
Canada
Newfoundland
Costa Rica
698, 023
105, 673
1,047,041
Brazil
Bolivia
1,348,094
120, 000
1,941,532
165. 000
50,000
240, 395
73, 567
636. 000
443, 120
9,730
97, 320
4,080,000
Peru
195, 161
164, 658
9(11,700
309, 183
243, 325
109, 575
23, 3.59
Ecuador
Santo Domingo
1,415, 102
174,900
452, 000
606, 918
German East Africa
111,183
800,000
430, 939
Straits Settlements
Morocco
Mauritius
Ceylon
97, 330
263, 473
316, 323
3,650
546, 003
556, 770
48, 240
60,000
Siam
302
5, 329, 042
Cyprus
British Guiana
Venezuela
Dutch East Indies
Curasao
Sarawak
Total
395, 477, 905
149,282,936
466,110,614
166, 226, 964
354, 936, 497
177,011,902
»Rupee calculated at coining rate, $0.1737. « Ruble calculated at coining rate, $0.5145.
>> Fiscal year 1899-1900 rupee calculated at $0.3'244. >1 Florin calculated at coiniug rate, $0.'4052.
12066—01 22
V
838
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
XXVI. — World’s Production ok Gold and Silver for Calendar Years 1898,
1899, AND 1900.
[Kilogram of gold, S6G4.G0; kilogram of silver, f41.56, coining rate in United States silver dollars.
Fine ounce of gold, ^20.G7183+; line ounce of silver, ^l.‘292929+, coining rate in United States silver
dollars.]
1898.
Countries.
GOLD.
SILVER.
Kilo-
grams
(line).
Ounces
(line).
Value.
Kilo-
grams
(fine).
Ounces
(line).
Coining
value.
Commer-
cial value.
North America;
United States
96,995
3, 118, 398
S64, 463, 000
1,693,563
54, 438, 000
8!70, 384, .500
$12,118,400
Mexico
12, 790
411,187
■‘8,500,000
1,765, 116
56, 738, 000
73, 358, 200
33, 475, 400
Canada and New-
found land
20, 822
’>669,445
13, 838, 700
138,512
4,452,333
5, 7i)6, 500
2, 626, 900
Africa
120, 566
3, 876, 216
80, 128,500
Australasia
97, 594
3,137,644
64;860;800
326, 379
10, 491,100
13, .564, 300
6, 189, 700
Europe:
Ku.ssia
38, 314
1,231,791
25, 463, 400
8, 664
278, 492
360,100
164,300
Austria-Hungarv - .
2,798
89, 954
1,859,500
56, 443
1,814,294
2, 345, 700
1 , 070, 400
Germany
111
3, 561
73, 600
173,329
5, 571, 516
7, 203, 600
3, 287, 200
Norway
5, 392
173,327
224, 100
102,300
Sweden
126
4,044
83, 600
2; 033
65, 345
84; 600
38, 600
Italy
250
8, 027
165, 900
25, 028
801,. 512
1,010,200
474,7110
Spam
3
96
2, 000
76, 295
2, 452, 940
3, 171,. 500
1,447,200
Portugal
7
227
4,700
119
3, 790
4,900
2, 2a)
Greece
41,950
1,348,411
1 , 743, 400
795, 6a)
Turkey
21
675
14, 000
4,422
142, 141
183, .800
83i oa)
Finland
5
149
3,100
456
14,6.57
19,000
8,600
France
11,310
460, 946
596, 000
272, 000
Great Britain
10
321
6,600
6, 575
211; 347
273; 300
124; 700
South America:
Argentina
207
6, 661
0 137, 700
11,930
3.83,479
495, .800
226, 3a)
Bolivia
504
16, 204
335, 000
342, 138
10, 997, 705
11,219,300
6, 488, 600
Chile
1,344
43, 229
893, 600
147,916
4, 7.54, 636
6,117,400
2, 805, 200
Colombia
3,248
104, 426
2, 158, 700
170, 598
5,483,718
7, 090, 100
3, 235, 400
Ecuador
59
1,911
39, 500
210
7, 734
*10,000
4,600
Brazil
2, 383
1,583,700
Venezuela
1,639
52' 694
1^089^300
Guiana (British) ..
3, 082
99, 105
2' 04S' 700
Guiana (Dutch)...
856
27, 532
' 569 i 100
Guiana (French)..
2, 474
1% 5-17
l,64li4(X)
Peru
945
0 30, 380
' 628i 000
165, 000
5, 303, 770
6, 8.57, 400
3,129,200
Urueruav
52
34,400
Central America
735
23, 642
488i 700
22, 288
716, 412
926, 300
422, 700
Asia:
Japan .-.
1,161
37, 336
771,800
GO. 560
1 , 946, 648
2, .516, 900
1,148,500
China .
8,114
260, 871
5, 392, 700
Korea
1,758
56' 511
168/200
India ( British )
11,709
376’, 431
7i78l',500
East Indies (Brit-
ish)
797
25, 625
529, 700
East Indies (Dutch)
177
5; 689
117 /;oo
Total
431,656
13,877,806
286, 879, 700
5, 259, 286
169,055,253
218, 576, 800
99, 7 12, 600
» Estimate Uureati of the Mint.
’'Newfoundland product for 1897 included.
« Figures for 1897 repeated.
PRECIOUS METALS TN THE TTNITED STATES
839
World’s Production of Gold and Silvkk for (Lm.kndar Ykar« 18‘J8, 181M>, and
1900 — Contiinied.
ISOO.
Countries.
GOLD.
SII.yKH.
Kilo-
grams
(tine).
Ounces
(fine).
Value.
Kilo-
grams
(line).
Ounces
(fine).
Coining
yalue.
Commer-
cial value.
North America:
United States
106, 911
3, 437, 210
871,053,400
1,703,720
54, 764, 500
$70, 806, (KK)
$32,8.58,700
Mexico
12, 790
411, 187
» 8, 500, 000
1, 730, 089
.55, 612, 090
71, 902, .500
33, 367, 300
Canada and New-
foundland
32, 086
’>1,031,563
21, 324, 300
106, 136
3, 111,644
4,411,0t)0
2, 047, 000
a f ri cn
109, 876
3,532,488
73, 023, 000
Australasia
119,352
3, 837, 181
79; 321; 600
396, 266
12, 737, 598
16,468,800
7, 642, 600
Europe:
Ru.s.sia
33,354
1,072,333
22, 167, 100
4, 196
134,887
174,400
80,900
Austria-Hungary . .
2, 925
94,037
1, 943, 900
58, 961
1,895,253
2, 4.50, 400
1,137,200
Germany
112
3,589
74,200
194, 190
6, 242, 053
8, 070, 500
3, 745, 200
Norway
5,193
166,908
21.5,800
100, 100
Sweden
106
3,414
70, 600
2, 290
73,619
95, 2tX)
44, 200
Italy
113
3, 633
75, 100
25, 494
819,481
1,0.59,500
491,700
Spain
<’3
96
2,000
'76,295
2, 452, 940
3, 171,. 500
1,471,800
Portugal
-’7
227
4,700
'119
3, 790
4,900
2,300
Greece
36, 659
1, 178,369
1,. 523, 500
707, 000
Turkey
0 21
675
14,000
'4; 422
' 142', 141
183, .800
85,300
Finland
3
84
1,700
244
7,843
10, 100
4,700
France
14,500
466, 089
602, 600
279, 700
Great Britain
88
2,844
58, 800
5, 804
186, 582
241,200
111,900
South America:
Argentina
207
6, 661
'1137,700
11,930
.383, 479
495, .800
230, 100
Boliyia
500
16,075
332, 300
310,500
9, 980, 731
12, 904, 400
5, 988, 400
Chile
1,954
62,819
1,298,600
129,503
4,162,718
5,3.82,100
2, 497, 600
Colombia
2,775
89, 231
1,844,600
109,556
3, 521,. 563
4, .5.53, 100
2, 112, 900
Ecuador
72
2, 317
47, 900
240
7, 734
<' 10, 000
4,600
Brazil
3, 234
103, 983
2, 149, 500
V'cnezuela
893
28; 710
593; 500
Guiana (British) ..
3,070
98; 712
2, 040, 500
Guiana (Dutch) ...
884
28, 423
' 587,' 600
Guiana (French)..
2, 541
8i;691
1,688,700
Peru
1/295
41 ; 634
' 860; 700
203, 000
6, 525, 245
8,436,700
3, 915, 100
Uruguay
41
1,331
27, 500
20
643
800
400
Central America
881
28, 355
586, 100
28, 377
912, 170
1, 179,400
547, 300
Asia:
Japan
1,662
53, 421
1,104,300
55, 608
1,787,463
2,311,100
1,072, .500
China
8,387
269, 662
5, 574, 400
Korea
2,195
70'. 579
1', 459; 000
India (British)
13; 029
418,869
8', 658; 800
East Indies (Brit-
.
ish)
640
20, 562
425, 100
East Indies ( Dutch )
177
5, 689
117; 600
Total
462, 184
14,859,285
307,168,800
5, 213, 312
167, 577, 533
216, 665, 700
100, 546, 500
‘Estimate Bureau of the Mint.
’’Newfoundland product for 18'J7 iueluded.
0 Figures for 1898 repeated.
Figures for 1897 repeated.
840
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
WoKLu’s Pkoduction of Goij) and Silver for Calendar A" ears 1898, 1899, and
1900 — Continued.
1900.
Country.
GOLD.
SILVER.
Kilo-
grams
(line) .
Ounces
(line).
Value.
Kilo-
grams
(line).
Ounces
(tine).
Coining
value.
Commer-
cial value.
Nortli America:
United States
119,126
3, 829, 897
»79, 171,000
1,793,395
.57, 647, 000
•1)74, .533, 500
835,741,100
Mexico
13,542
435, 375
“9,000,000
1,786,8.87
.57, 437, 80S
74, 263, 000
35,611,400
Canada
41,951
1,:148,720
27, 880, 500
138, 400
4,448,755
5,751,900
2, 7.58, 200
Africa
13,048
419, 503
8, 671, two
Au.stralasia
llO; 591
3, 555, 506
73', 498; 900
415, 014
13,340,263
17,248,000
8,271,000
Europe:
Russia
30,312
974, 537
20, 145, .500
4,4.58
143, 299
18.5, 300
88, 800
Austria-Hungary . .
3, 223
103,615
2,141,900
61, <871
1,988,774
2,571,:100
1,233,000
Germany
99
3, 192
66,000
16.8, :i50
5,411,441
6, 996, 600
3, 355, 100
Norway
.5, 377
172,839
223, .500
107,200
Sweden
88
"2, 845
58, 800
1 ; 928
61 ; 9.83
.so; 100
38, 400
Italy. .
53
1,704
35, 200
23, 374
751 , 335
971,400
465, 800
Spain
13
118
8, 600
99, 095
3, 185,316
1, 118, 400
1,974,900
Portugal
■n
227
4,700
“119
3, 790
4, 900
2,300
Greece
'> 36, 659
1,178,369
1 , .523, .500
730, 600
Turkey
“21
675
i4,666
“4; 422
112; 141
183; 800
88; 100
Finland
84
1,700
'>244
7, 843
10, 100
4,900
France
'> 14,. 500
466, 089
602, 600
289,000
Great Britain
415
13, 360
276, 200
6, 896
221,673
286; 600
137, 400
South America:
Argentina
()6
2,112
43, 700
1,144
3ti, 774
47, 500
22, 800
Bolivia
'>500
16,075
332, 300
'>310,500
9, 9.S0, 731
12,901,400
6, 188, 100
Chile
2, 449
78, 735
1,627,600
»> 129, 503
4,162,718
5,382,100
2, .580, 900
Colomliia
1,798
57,801
1,191,900
57, 994
1, 864, 165
2,410,200
1,1.55,800
Ecuador
162
5,208
107, 700
240
7,734
“ 10, 000
4, .800
Brazil
5,011
161, 104
3, 330, 300
V'cnezuela
•>893
28' 710
' 593; 500
Guiana (British) ..
3,063
9Sj 487
2, 035', 900
Guiana (r)utch)
867
27' 882
' 57(i; 400
Guiana (French) .
2, :i78
76, 168
1,580,700
I’eru...^
1,633
52,' 498
i;08.5;200
226, 973
7,295,82.5
9, 433, 000
4, .523, 400
Uruguay
46
1,492
30,800
25
798
1,000
.500
Central America
752
24,188
500,000
31,523
1,013,285
1 , 310, 100
628,200
Asia:
Japan
1,662
53,421
'>1,104,300
55, 608
1,787,463
i> 2, 311, 100
1,108,200
China __
8, 387
269, 662
'> 5, .574, 400
Kornii.
6, 771
217, 687
4', .500; 000
India (British)
14, 197
456, 444
9; 435; 500
East Indies (Brit-
i.sh )
860
27, 643
.571,400
East indies (Dutch )
654
21; 041
435; 000
2, .509
80, 659
104,300
.50,000
Total
384,641
12, 366, 319
255, 634, 500
5, 377, 008
172,838,870
223, 468, 200
107,159,900
ttEHtimate Bureau of the Mint. Figures for 18'J‘J repeated. » Figures for 1898 repeated.
s
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
841
XXVII.— Cot N A(iR OF THK Mints of TitE United States fkom tiieik Organiza-
tion, 1792, to J>ecemueu 81, 1900.
Denomination.
Pieces.
Value.
GOLD.
Double eagles
78, G02, 8.53
31, 900, 165
52,499,971
639, 792
11,(Q6,347
19, 499, 337
51,.572,057,060.00
319,061,6.50.00
262, 499, .85.5. 00
1,619,376.00
29, 1 16, 867. .50
19,499,337.00
Eagles
Half eagles
Three-dollar pieces (coinage discontinued act of Sept. 20, 1890)
(Quarter eagles .
Dollars (coinage discontinued act of Sept. 20, 1890)
Total gold
194, 694, 465
2, 203, 8.53, 145. .50
SII.VF.K.
Dollars (coinage discontinued under aet of Feb. 12, 1873, and re-
sumed under a<‘t of Feb. 28, 1878)
518, 419, 853
35, 965, 924
.50,000
296, 493, 418
5, 002, 105
262,616,486
40, 023
1 , 356, 000
.3.53, 447, 282
97, 604, 388
42, 736, 240
518, 419, .8.53. 00
35, 965, 924. 00
.50, 000. 00
148, 246, 709. 00
2, .501, 052. 50
65, 6.54, 121. 50
10, 005. 75
271,000.00
37, 344, 728. 20
4, .8.80, 219. 40
1, 282, 087. 20
Trade dollars
Lafayette souvenir dollars, act Mar. 3, 1.899
Half dollars ,
Half dollars, Columbian souvenir
Quarter dollars
Quarter dollars, Columbian souvenir
Twenty-eeut pieces (coinage discontinued act of May 2, 1878)
Dimes
Half-dimes (coinage discontinued act of Feb. 12, 1873)
Three-cent pieces (coinage discontinued act of Feb. 12, 1873)
Total silver
1,613,730,719
814, 625, 700. 55
MINOR.
Five-cent pieces, nickel
376, 143, 262
31,378,316
45,601,000
1.56,288,744
200, 772, 000
1,044, .513, 9.59
7, 985, 222
18, 807, 163. 10
941,349. 48
912, 020. 00
1, .562, 887. 44
2,007,720.00
10,44.5, 139.59
39,926.11
Three-cent pieces, nickel (coinage discontinued act of Sept. 26, 18901 .
Two-cent pieces, bronze (coinage discontinued act of Feb. 12,1873).
One-cent pieces, copper ((coinage discontinued act of Feb. 21,18.57).
One-cent i>ieces, nickel (coinage discontinued act of Apr. 22, 1804) . .
One-cent pieces, bronze
Half-cent pieces, copper ((;oinage discontinued act of Feb. 21, 1857).
Total minor -
1,862, 682,503
34, 716, 205. 72
Total coinage
3,671,107,687
3,053,19.5,0.51.77
‘Silver-dollar coinage under act of Ai>r. 2, 1792 58,031,238
Bland-Allisoii Act, Feb. 28, 1878 J378, lt!6, 793
Sherman Act, J iily 14, 1890, to Oct. 31,1893 J36, 087, 286
From repeal of purchasing clause (Nov. 1, 1893) of Shenuiin Act to
June 12, 1898 12, 139, 872
Coined under war-revenue bill ai)provcd June 13, 1898, to Dec. 31,
1900 48,910,193
127, 143, .350
Act of Mar. 3, 1891, recoiuago of trade dollars 5,078,472
510,388,015
Total 518,419,853
XXVIII .—Coinage of Si ever Dollars, FitACTioNAL and Shrsidiary Silver, by
Acts and Denominations, from 1792 to 1900.
Denomination.
1792 to 1853.
18.53 to Feb. 12,
1873.
Feb. 12. 1873, to
Dec. 31, 1900.
Total silver.
Dollars
^2, .506, 890. 00
$5, 524, 348. 00
»510, 388, 615. 00
35,965,924.00
50, 000. 00
S:.51S, 419, .8,53. 00
36,965,924.00
50, (KK). 00
Trade dollars
Lafayette .souvenir dollars
Total dollars
Half dollars
2,506,890.00
5, 524, 348. 00
546, 404, 539. 00
.5.54, 435, 777. 00
66, 2.80, 6*10. .50
32, 666, 832. 50
49, 299, 236. 00
2, ,501, 052. 60
43, 7.80, 290. .50
10,005.75
271,0tK1.00
28, 545, 978. 10
148, 2*16, 709. 00
2, .501, 0.52. .50
65, 654, 121. ,50
10, 00,5. 75
271,000. 00
37, 344, 728. 20
4, 8.80, 219. *10
1,282,087.20
Half dollars, Columbian
Quarter dollars
3, 994, 040. 50
17, .879, 790. .50
Qua rter dollars, Columliian
T'wenty-cent ])ieces
Dimes
3, .890, 230. 10
1, 825, 126. *10
744, 927. 00
4, 908, .520. 00
3,055,093.00
537, 160. 20
Mnlf
Thrpo.oont pi pups
Total subsidiary
76, 734, 964. 50
.59, 047, 396. 20
124,407,562.85
260, 189, 923. 55
Total .silver
79, 241, 8.54. 50
64,571,7*44.20
670, 812, 101.85
814, 625, 700. 55
Fractional .silver coinage, 1 792 to 18.53 ®70, 734, 96*1. 50
Subsidiary .silver coinage, 18.53 to Feb. 12, 1873 .59, 047, 390. 20
Subsidiary .silver coinage, Feb. 12, 1873, to Dec. 31 , 1900 124, 407, 502. 85
Fractional .silver coinage, 1 792 to 18.53 ®70, 734, 96*1. 50
Subsidiary silver coinage, 18.53 to Feb. 12, 1873 .59, 047, 390. 20
Subsidiary .silver coinage, Feb. 12, 1873, to Dec. 31 , 1900 124, 407, 502. 85
Total
200, 189, 923, 65
342
PEECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
X^IX. — Production of Gold and Silver in
[From 1493 to 1885 is from a table of averages for certain periods, compiled by Dr. Adolph Soetbeer.
Period.
GOLD.
Average annual for period.
Total for period.
Fine ounces.
Value.
Fine ounces.
Value.
1
1493-1520
180, 470
$3,855,000
5, 221, 160
$107,931,000
2
1521-1544
230, 194
4,759,000
5, 524, 656
114, 205, 000
3
1515-1500
273, 590
5,656,000
4,377,544
90, 492, 000
4
1561-1580
219, 900
4, 546, 000
4, 398, 120
90,917,000
5
1581-1000
237, 207
4,905,000
4, 745, 340
98, 095, 000
0
1001-1620
273, 918
5, 662, 000
5, 478, 360
113,248,000
7
1021-1040
266, 845
5,516,000
5, 336, 900
110, 324, 000
8
1611-1000
281,955
5,828,000
5, 639,110
116,571,000
9
1061-1080
297, 709
6, 154, 000
5,954,180
123,084,000
10
1681-1700
346, 095
7, 154, 000
6,921,895
143, 088, 000
1]
1701-1720
412, 163
8,620,000
8, 243, 260
170, 403, 000
12
1721-1740
613, 422
12, 681, 000
12,268,440
253,611,000
13
1741-1760
791, 211
16,356,000
15, 824, 230
327, 116, 000
14
1761-1780
065, 660
13,761,000
13,313,315
275,211,000
1.5
1781-1800
571,948
11,823,000
11,438,970
236,464,000
10
l.SOl-1810
571,603
11,815,000
6,715,627
118,152,000
17
1811-1820
367,957
7,606,000
3, 679, 568
76,063,000
18
1821-1830
457, 041
9,448,000
4, 570, 444
94,479,000
19
1831-1840
0.52, 291
13,484,000
6,522,913
134,841,000
20
1841-1850
1,700,502
36, 393, 000
17,605,018
363, 928, 000
21
1851-1856
6, 410, 324
132,513,000
32,051,621
662,566,000
22
1856-1860
6, 480, 202
134, 083, 000
32,431,312
670, 415, 000
23
1801-1805
6, 949, 582
122, 989,000
29, 747, 913
614,944,000
24
1860-1870
6,270,080
129,614,000
31, 350, 430
048,071,000
2.5
1871-1875
5,591,014
115, 577,000
27,955,068
577, 883, 000
20
1876-1880
5,543,110
114,586,000
27,715,5.50
572, 931, 000
27
1881-1885
4,794,755
99,116,000
23, 973, 773
495,582,000
2H
1886-1890
5,461,282
112,895,000
27,306,411
564, 474, 000
29
1891-1895
7, 882, 565
162, 947, 000
39, 412, 823
811, 736, 000
30
1890
9,783,914
202, 251, 600
9, 783, 914
202,251,600
31
1897
11,420,068
236, 073, 700
11,420,068
236, 073, 700
32
1898
13, 877, 800
286; 879; 700
13;877;S0()
286,’ 879; 700
33
1899
14, 859, 285
307, 168, 800
14,859,285
307, 168, 800
34
1900
12, 366, 319
255, 634, .500
12,366, 319
255, 634, 500
Total
487,031,343
10, 067, 833, 300
PKEOIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
343
THE 'World since the Discovery of America.
For the years 1886 to 1898 the production is the annual estimate of the Bureau of the Mint.]
SILVER.
PERCENTAGE OF PRODUCTION.
Annual average for period.
Total for period.
By weight.
By
value.
Fine ounces.
Coining value.
Fine ounces.
Coining value.
Cold.
Silver.
Cold.
Silver.
1,511,050
81, 951, «)0
42, 309, 400
#54,703,000
11
89
66. 4
33. 6
2,899,930
3, 740, 000
69, .598, 320
89,986,000
7.4
92. 6
55.9
44.1
10,017,9-10
12, 952, TOO
160,287,040
207,240,000
2.7
97.3
30.4
69.6
9, 628, 925
12,4.50,000
192, 578, .500
248, 990, 000
2.2
97.8
26.7
73.3
T3, "lo / ,
17,413,000
269, 3.52, 700
348, 254, 000
1.7
98. 3
22
78
13, 596, 285
17, 579, 000
271,921,700
351, 579, oa)
2
98
24.4
75. 6
12, 6.54, 2-10
16, 361,000
253, 084, 8TO
327, 221, OX)
2.1
97. 9
25. 2
74.8
11,776,545
15, 226, 000
235, 530, 900
304,52.5,tXX)
2.3
97.7
27.7
72.3
10, 834, 5.50
14,008,000
216, 691, Oa)
280, 166, TOO
2.7
97.3
30.5
69.5
10,992,085
14,212,000
219,8-11,700
284,2.10,000
3.1
96.9
33.5
66.5
11, 432, .540
14,781,000
228,6.50,800
295,629,a)0
3.5
96. 5
36. 6
63.4
13, 863, 080
17,924,000
277,261,600
358, 480, OX)
4.2
95.8
41.4
58.6
17, 140, 612
22, 162, 000
1442, 812, 235
443,232,000
1.4
95.6
42.5
57.5
20, 985, 591
27, 133, TOO
419, 711,. 820
542, 6.58, aX)
3. 1
96. 9
33.7
66.3
28,261,779
36, 540, 000
565, 235, 580
730,810, 000
2
98
24.4
75.6
28, 746, 922
37,168,000
287, 469, 225
371,677,a)0
1.9
98.1
24. 1
75.9
17, 385, 7.55
22, 479, 000
173,857,555
224,780,000
2.1
97.9
25. 3
74.7
14, 807, (X)4
19, 144,000
148, 070, 040
191,444,0TO
3
97
33
67
19, 175, 867
24, 793, 000
191, 7.58, 675
247,930,000
3.3
96. 7
35.2
64.8
25, 090, 342
32, 440, 000
250, 903, 422
324, 4a), 000
6.6
93.4
52. 9
47.1
28, 488, .597
36,824,000
142,442,986
184,169,000
18.4
81.6
78.3
21.7
29,095,-128
37, 618, 000
145, 477, 1-12
188, 092, 000
18.2
81.8
78.1
21.9
35,401,972
45, 772, 000
177,009,862
228, 861, oa)
14.4
85.6
72. 9
27.1
43,051,.5s3
55, 663, 000
215,257,914
278, 313, 000
12.7
87.3
70
30
63,317,014
81,86-1,000
316,585,069
409, 322, TOO
8.1
91.9
.58. 5
41.5
78, 775, tk)2
101, 8.51, t)00
393,878,009
.509, 256, 000
6.6
93.4
53
47
92,003,944
118, 955, 000
460, 019, 722
594, 773, 000
5
95
45. 5
54.5
10.8,911,431
140,81.5,000
544,557, 1.55
704,074,000
4.8
95. 2
44.5
55.5
157, .581, 331
203,742,000
787, 906, 6.56
1 , 018, 708, 000
4.8
95. 2
44.4
55.6
1.57, 061, 370
203,069.200
157,061,370
203,069,200
5.9
94.1
49.9
50. 1
UK), -121, 082
207,413,000
160,421,082
207,413,000
6. 7
93.3
53.2
46.8
169,0.55.2.53
218, 576, 800
169, 055, 253
218,576,800
7.6
92.4
56.8
43.2
167,. 577, 533
216, 665, 700
167, 577, 533
216, 665, 700
8.1
91.9
58.6
-11.4
172, .838, 870
223,468,200
172, 838, 870
223, 468, 200
6.7
93.3
53.4
46. 6
8, 827, 018, 635
11,412, 704,900
5.2
94.8
46.7
53.3
1
2
3
4
6
C
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
344
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
XXX. — Coinage op the Mints op the United States
[Coinage of the mint at Philadelphia from
Calendar years.
GOLD COINAGE.
Double
eagles.
Eagles.
Half
eagles.
Three
dollars.
Quarter
eagles.
Dollars.
1793 to 1795 . .
J27,950
60, 800
91, 770
79, 740
174, 830
259, 6.50
292, .540
150, 900
89, 790
97, 9.50
m, 535
16,995
32, 030
124, 335
37, 255
58,110
130, 030
265, 880
167,530
152. 375
165,915
320. 465
420. 465
277, 890
169.375
.501,435
497, 905
290, 435
477, 140
77,270
3, 175
179G
$165. 00
4.390.00
1 . 535. 00
1.200.00
1797
1798
1799
1800
1801
1802
6. 530. 00
1,0.57.50
8, 317. 50
4, 452. 60
4.040.00
17,0.30.00
6. 775. 00
1803 . .
1804
1805
1806
1807
1808
1809..
1810
1811
1812
1813
1814
1815
1816
1817
1818
242, 940
2.58, 615
1,319,030
173, 205
88, 980
72, 425
86,700
145, 300
90, 345
124, .565
140, 145
287,210
631,755
702, 970
787,435
968, 1.^
3, 660, 845
1,857,670
2, 765, 736
1 , 035, 605
1,432, 940
590, 715
686, 910
79, 165
137, 8tK)
3. 0. 56. 025
1,701,650
2. 0. 85. 495
1,979,710
4,579,905
1,303,875
665, 360
322, 455
1819
1820
1821
16,120. 00
1822
1823
1824
6, .500. 00
11,086.00
1,900.00
7, 000. 00
1825
1826
1827
1828
1829
8, ,507. 50
11.350.00
11.300.00
11,000.00
10. 400. 00
293. 425. 00
328. 505. 00
1,369,96,5.00
112.700.00
117, ,57.5. 00
67. 6.52. 50
47, 147. .50
1830
1831
1832
1833
1834
1835
1836
1837 ^
1838
72, 000
382, 4.80
473, 380
631,310
815, 070
754, 620
63,610
261,530
200, 950
8, 622, 5.80
1,4.54,840
6, .536, 180
2,914,510
1,763,280
2,631,060
2, 012, 530
.542, .500
1,217,010
604,900
166, 060
2.5,210
160,930
117,830
1,132,330
109,9.50
12,480
35, 800
40, 050
1839
1840
1841
1842
7, 0.57. 50
251.36.5.00
16. 960. 00
227, 627. 50
53. 996. 00
74.535.00
22. 215. 00
58. 235. 00
632. 307. 50
3.431.870.00
2, 899, 202. 50
3. 511.670.00
1.490.64.5.00
588, 700. 00
960, 600. 00
535. 325. 00
1 18, 442. .50
98.610.00
56, 687. .50
3. 181.29.5.00
280. 882. 50
7.5.00
7, 185. 00
3, 862. 60
1843
1844
1845
1846
1847
1848
1849
$688, 567
481,9.53
3,317,671
2, 045, .351
4, 076, 051
1,639,445
758, 269
1,762,936
774,789
117,995
168.244
36, 668
527,499
1, 326, 865
6,250
6, 950
3,726
18.50
S23, 405, 220
41,743,100
41, 060, .520
25, 226, .520
I. 5, 1.57,980
7, 293, 320
6, .597, .560
8, 787, .500
4,234,280
871 , 940
II, . 5.53, 400
.59, .529, 060
1,842,660
2, 8.55, 800
4, 085, 700
7,024,000
1851
1, 887; 525
2, 869, .505
1,. 528, 8.50
803, 375
585, 490
989, 950
490, 940
75, 680
84,070
99,125
3, 199, 750
22, 325
12,360
21,100
6, 475
18.52
1854
$415, 8.54
1.51,665
78, 030
62, 673
6,399
46,914
21, 465
18,216
17,355
15,117
8,040
3,495
18.56
18.57
18.58
18.59
1860
1861
1862
1863
18M
1865 ...
Carried forward
261, 268, .560
35,080,900 i .50,967,775
845, 223
20, 996, 875. 00
17, 738, 228
Note. — Not .snsceptible of exact statement by years of actual date of coin, the regi.stry of annual
coinage being of coin delivered by (ioiners of minis within the given year, and the.se deliveries not
having been invariably completed within tlie yt^ar of the date of the coin, as now required.
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
345
PROM THEIR Organization, ry Calendar Years,
its organization, 1793, to December 31, 1900.1
SILVKU COINAGE.
Trade
dollars.
Dollars.
Half dollars.
Quarter
dollars.
Twenty
cents.
Dimes.
Half dimes.
Three
cents.
$204, 791
72, 920
7,776
327, 536
423, 515
220, 920
54, 454
41,650
66, 064
19, 570
321
$161,572.00
$4,320.80
511.50
2,226. 35
$1,473.50
63.00
$2,213.50
2,526.10
2, 755. 00
1,959.00
2. 176. 00
3.464.00
1,097.60
3.304.00
826. 50
12,078.00
1,200.4X)
1.695.50
6.50. .50
1.892.50
.
15. 144. 50
14, 945. 00
15, 857. .50
78. 2.59. 50
105. 861. 00
419. 788. 00
525. 788. 00
684. 300. 00
702. 905. 00
638. 138. 00
601.822.00
814, 029. .50
620, 951.. 50
519, 537. 50
1,684.50
30, 348. 50
61,531.00
55, 160. 76
780.00
16, ,500. 00
4.471.00
635. 50
6. 518.00
42, 1,50. 00
17, 308. 00
5, 000. 75
23, 575. 00
607. 783. 50
980.161.00
1. 104. 000. 00
375. 561.00
6.52.898.50
779. 786. 50
847. 100. 00
1. 752. 477. 00
1.471.. 583. 00
2. 002. 090. 00
2. 746. 700. 00
1. 537. 600. 00
1. 8.56. 078. 00
2. 382. 400. 00
2. 936. 830. 00
2, 398, .500. 00
2. 603.000. 00
3. 206. 002. 00
2.676.003.00
3.273. 100.00
1. 814. 910. 00
1. 773. 000. 00
1.667.280.00
717.504.00
1.55.000. 00
1.006.382.00
1.922.000. 00
883. 000. 00
294. 500. 00
1.10.5. 000. 00
578. 000. 00
290. 000. 00
626. 000. 00
113.. 5(X). 0('
100. 375. 00
38, 565. Ot)
1, 766, 3.54. 00
1.491.000. 00
379. 7.50. 00
469. 000. 00
994.000. 00
2, 113,0(X).00
374.000. 00
151.8.50.00
1.444.200.00
126, 17.5.00
251 . 830. 00
189, 785. 00
255, 9.50. 00
90, 293. 50
36, 000. 00
31.861.00
54, 212. 75
16. 020. 00
4, 460. 00
94, 258. 70
118,651.20
10. 000. (X)
44.000. 00
42, 6o6. 6t)
61, 000. 00
1,000.00
25, 500. 00
121, ,500. (X)
12.500.00
77. 000. 00
51.000. 00
77.13.5. 00
52. 2.50. 00
48, 5(X). 00
63, .500. 00
141.000. 00
119.000. 00
104. 200. 00
199,2.50. 00
105,311.50
135.8.58.00
162.2.50.00
188. 750. 00
137, (XX). 00
7. 2.50. 00
175, .500. 00
3.130.00
24.500.00
45.1.50.00
83, 900. (X)
193. 150.00
102. 6.50. 00
1.53, .5.50. 00
1,217,301.00
447. 000. 00
207, ,500. 00
578. 000. 00
5.58.000. 00
1.54, OCX). 00
43. 000. 00
60, 7IX). 00
192.400.00
84. 755. 00
1.446.00
3. 907. 00
1,0.50.00
61 , ,500. 00
62, 000. 00
62, 135. 00
48, 2.50. 00
68, .500. 00
74,0U0.tX)
1.38, (X)0. 00
95, 000. 00
113, .SOO. 00
112, 750. (X)
63, 457. .50
67, 204. 25
57, .5(X). (X)
40. 7.50. 00
58. 2.50. 00
21.. 500. 00
78. 200. 00
1,350.00
63. 700. 00
33. 400. 00
65.4.50. 00
1 47, 750. 00
39. 0. 50. 00
50. 025. 00
667,2.51.00
287. 000. 00
87.. 500. 00
244.000. 00
364.000. 00
175.000. 00
17.000. 00
39. 9.50. 00
164.0. 50.00
74, 627. 50
923. 00
23.50
675. 00
99, .500. 00
^0, 000. 00
39. 000. 00
71.. 500. 00
488. 000. 00
118.000. 00
63. 100. 00
208, 000. 00
122, 786. 50
47,031.75
30. 000. 00
22. 000. 00
161.400.00
105. 300.00
230. 500. 00
127. 500. 00
183, .500. 00
36. 500. 00
85,000.00
47, 700. 00
40, (X30. 00
44.265.00
3, 81 3, .55.5. 00
3. 095. 000. 00
714.250.00
1,816,000 00
2, 4 11, OCX). 00
1.842.000. 00
336,000.00
201.3.50. 00
1,213, 6.50.00
233, 137. 50
48, 01.5. 00
23, .51 7. .50
14.82.5.00
1,000
300
61, 005
173,000
184, 618
165,100
20,000
24. 500
110,600
140, 750
15.000
62,600
7,500
1,300
1,100
46,110
33,140
26.000
63. 500
94,000
$163, 422. 00
559, 905. 00
342, 000. 00
20.130.00
4.170.00
43, 740. 00
31, 260. 00
48. 120. 00
10. 9.50. 00
8. 610.00
14, 940. (X)
10, 906. .50
643. 80
14.10
2.55. 00
2.56, 500
218,930
78, .500
12,090
27, 660
31,170
47,000
3, 342, 490 65, 225, 996. .50
18, 676, 790. 50
6, 552, 468. 50
3, 648, 798. 90
1,259,066.40
346
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
XXX. — Coinage op the Mints of the United States
[Coinage of the mint at Philadelphia from
Calendar years.
Brought forward
1866
1867
1868
1869
1870 A
1871
1872
1873
1874
1875
1876
1877
1878
1879
1880
1881
1882
1883
1884
1885
1886
1887
1888
1889
1890
1891
1892
1893
1894
1895
1896
1897
1898
1899
1900
Total
GOLD COINAGE.
Double
eagles.
«261,268,500
13. 975. 500
5,021,300
1.972.000
3, 503, 100
3, 103, 700
1.603.000
5.037.600
34. 196. 500
7. 336. 000
5, 914, 800
11,678, 100
7. 953. 400
10,872,900
4. 152. 600
1,029,120
45, 200
12, 600
800
1.420
16, 560
22, 120
2. 420
4, 525, 320
882, 220
1,519,900
28, 840
90, 460
6, 886, 780
27,379,800
22,293,120
15,853,260
27, 665, 220
3.409.400
33. 387. 680
37.491.680
560, 132, 980
Eagles.
«35, 080, 900
37. 800
31,400
106,550
18, 550
25, 350
17.800
16,500
8, 250
531,600
1,200
7, 320
8,170
738, 000
3, 847, 700
16, 448, 760
38, 772, 600
23, 244, 800
2, 087, 400
769, 050
2, 535, 270
2.361.600
536, 800
1,329,960
44,850
580, 430
918, 680
7,975,520
18, 408, 950
24, 707, 780
5, 678, 260
763, 480
10, 001 , 590
8, 121,970
12, 623, 050
2. 939. 600
221,327,490
Half
eagles.
$50, 967, 775
33. 600
34.600
28, 625
8, 925
20, 175
16,150
8, 450
562, 525
17, 540
1,100
7,385
5, 760
658, 700
1,509,750
15, 832, 180
28, 544, 000
12, 572, 800
1,167,200
955, 240
3, 007, 530
1,942,160
435
91,480
37, 825
21,640
307, 065
3, 767, 860
7, 640, 985
4, 789, 775
6, 729, 680
295, 315
4,339,415
3, 167,475
8, 553, 645
7, 028, 650
161, 673, g5
Three
dollars.
8846, 223
12, 090
7,950
14, 625
7,575
10, 605
3, 990
6. 090
75
125,460
60
135
4,464
246, 972
9. 090
3, 108
1,650
4,620
2, 820
8,318
2, 730
3, 426
18, 480
15,873
7,287
1,357,716
Quarter
eagles.
820,996
7,
8,
9,
10,
11,
13,
7,
445,
9,
1,
10,
4,
715,
222,
7,
1,
10,
4,
4,
2,
10,
15,
40,
44,
22,
27,
0,
75,
10,
15,
48,
74,
60,
68,
168,
,875.00
775.00
125.00
062. 50
862. 50
387. 50
375.00
575. 00
062.50
850.00
050. 00
552. 50
130. 00
650.00
475. 00
490.00
700. 00
100.00
900.00
982. 50
217. 50
220.00
705. 00
245.00
120. 00
032. 50
600. 00
362. 50
265. 00
305. 00
297.50
005. 00
760. 00
412.50
375. 00
012. 50
23, 191, 915. 00
Dollars.
817,738,228
7, 180
5, 250
10, 525
5, 925
6, 335
3,930
3, 530
125, 125
198, 820
'420
3, 245
3, 920
3, 020
3, 030
1 , 636
7, 660
5, 040
10,840
6,206
12, 205
6,016
8, 543
16,080
30, 729
18, 223, 438
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
347
FROM THEIR ORGANIZATION, BY CALENDAR YeARS — Continued,
its organization, 1793, to December 31, 1900.]
SILVER COINAGE.
Trade
dollars.
Dollars.
Half dollars.
Quarter
(lollars.
$3, 342, 490
•
$65,226,996.50
$18,676,790.50
49, 626
372, 812. 50
4,381.25
60, 325
212, 162. 50
5, 156. 25
182, 700
189, 100.00
7, 500. 00
424, 300
397, 950. 00
4,1.50.00
433, 000
300, 450. 00
21,8.50.00
1,115,760
582, 680. 00
42, 808. 00
1,106,4.50
440, 775. 00
45, 737. 50
$397, 500
293, two
1,308,750.00
371,075.00
987,800
1,180, 1.50.00
117,975.00
218, 900
3, 013,750.00
1, 073, 375. 00
456, 150
4, 209, 575. 00
4, 454, 287. 50
3, 039, 710
4,152,255.00
2, 727, U27. .50
900
10,509,550
689,200.00
565,200.00
1,541
14, 807, 100
2, 950. 00
3, 675. 00
1,987
12, 601,355
4,877.50
3, 738. 75
960
9,163,975
5, 487. 50
3,243. 75
1,097
11,101,100
2, 750. 00
4, 075. 00
979
12,291,039
4, 519. 50
3.859.75
14,070,875
2,637.50
2,218. 75
17,787,767
3,065.00
3, 632. 50
19,963,886
2,943.00
1,471.50
20,290,710
2,8.55.00
2, 677. 50
19,183,833
6,416.50
2, 708. 25
21,726,811
6, 355. 50
3,177.75
16,802,590
6,295.00
20, 147. 50
8,694,206
100, 300. 00
980, 150. 00
1,037,245
• 942, 622. 50
2,059,311.25
378, 792
•>2, 939, 448. .50
1, 371, 203. 75
110, 972
674, 486. 00
858, 243. 00
12,880
917,609.00
1, no, 220. 00
9, 976, 762
475,381.00
968, 690. 50
2,822, 731
1, 240, 365. 50
2, 035, 182. 75
5,884,735
1,478,367.50
2, 775, 1.S3. 75
330, 846
2, 769, 423. 00
3, 156, 211. 50
>18,880,912
2, 381,456.00
2, .504, 228. 00
5,107,524
245,438,922
96, 146,217.50
45, 991, 464. 00
Twenty
cents.
Dimes.
Half (limes.
S6, 552, 468. 50
$3,648,798.90
872. 50 536. 25
662.50 431.25
Three
cents.
$1,259,066.40
681.75
138. 75
$7, 940
3, 180
102
120
46. 625. 00
25. 660. 00
47, 1,50. 00
75.361.00
239, 645. 00
394.710.00
294.070.00
1.035.070.00
1.146.115.00
731.051.00
167. 880. 00
1,510.00
3, 735. 50
2, 497. 50
391.110.00
767.571.20
336. 638. 00
253. 342. 70
637. 757. 00
1,128, 393.90
549. 648. 70
738.071.10
991. 154. 10
1.531.060.00
1.212.124.50
334. 079. 20
133. 097. 20
69.088.00
200. 076. 20
1,086,926.40
1. 632. 073. 50
1,958,084.60
1,760,091.20
4,29.5.00
10, 430. 00
26, 830. 00
74, 443. 00
147,397.50
35, 630. 00
123.
153.
120.
127. 80
58.50
18.00
11,342
26,475,471.00
3, 948, 791. 90
1,26b, 487. 20
•Includes Columbian .souvenir half dollars, 1892, $475,000.
Includes Columbian souvenir half dollars, 1893, $2,026,052.50.
"Includes Columbian souvenir quarter dollars, 1893, $10,005.76.
d Includes 50,000 Lafayette souvenir dollars.
sss
348
PEECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
XXX. — Coinage of the Mints op the United States
[Coinage of the mint at Philadelphia from
Calendar years.
MINOR COINAGE.
Five cents.
Three cents.
Two cents.
1793-1795
0
179C
1797
1798
1799
1800
1801
1802
1803
1804
1805 •
1800
1807
1808
1809 •
1810
1811
1812
1813
1814
1815
1816
1817
1818
1819
1820
1821
1822
1823
1824
1825
1820
1827
1828
1829
1830
1831
1832
1833
«
1834
1835
1836
1837
1838
1839
1840
1841
1842
1843
1841
]gI5
1810
1847
1848
1849
1850
1851
1852
1853
1854
1855
1856
1857
1858
1859
I860
1801
1802
1803 ^
1804
8390, 950. 00
272, 800. 00
03. 540. 00
58. 775. 00
50. 075. 00
30. 930. 00
1805
8341,400.00
144. 030. 00
117.450.00
97. 500. 00
48. 120. 00
1800
S!737, 125. 00
1,. 5*15, 475. 00
1,440,850.00
819, 750. 00
1867
1868
1809
Carried forward
4, 543, 200. 00
748, 020. 00
879, 070. 00
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
349
FROM THEIR OlUi ANIZATION, BY CaI.ENDAR YeARS — Coiltiuiied.
its organization, 1793, to December 31, 1900.]
MINOR COINAGE.
TOTAt COINAGE.
TOTAL VALUE.
Cents.
Half cents.
Gold.
Silver.
Minor.
SIO, 000. 33
$712. 67
$71,485.00
$370, 683. 80
$11,373.00
$453, 541 . 80
9, 747. IK)
577. 40
77, 960. tX)
77,118.50
10,3‘24.40
165, 402. tX)
8, 975. to
535. 21
T28, 190. 00
14, 550. 45
9,510. 34
152, ‘250. 79
9, 797. 00
205,610.00
330, ‘291. 00
9, 797. 00
545, 698. 00
9, ai5. 85
(50. 83
213, ‘285. (K)
423, 515. 00
9, 106. 68
645, 906. 68
28, •221. 75
1,057.65
317, 760. 00
224, 296. 00
‘29, 279. 40
671, 335. 40
13, 0'28. 37
4‘22, 570. 00
74, 758. 00
13,628. 37
510, 956. 37
34, 351. 00
71.83
4‘23, 310. 00
58, 343. 00
34,4‘22.83
516, 075. 83
24,713.53
489.50
‘258, 377. 50
87, 118.00
25, ‘203. 03
370, 698. 53
7, 508. 38
5, ‘276. 56
•258, 642. 50
100, 340. 50
12,844.94
371, 8‘27. 94
9,411. 10
4, 072. 32
170, 367. 50
149, 388. 50
13,483.48
333, ‘239. 48
3, 480. 00
1,780.00
3^24,505.00
471,319.00
5,260.00
801,084.00
7,272.-21
2, 380. 00
437,495.00
597, 448. 75
9,65‘2.21
1,044,595.96
11,090.00
2,000.00
284, 665. 00
684, 300. 00
13, 090. 00
982,055.00
2, ‘2‘28. 07
5, 772. 86
169, 375. 00
707, 376. 00
8,001.53
884,75-2.53
14, 585. 00
1,075.00
501,435.00
638, 773. 50
15, 660. 00
1,155,868.50
2, 180. 25
315. 70
497, 905. 00
608, 340. 00
2,495. 95
1, 108, 740. 95
10.755.00
290, 435. 00
814, 0‘29. 50
10, 755.00
1,115,219.50
4, 180. 00
477,140.00
620,951.50
4, 180. 00
1,102,-271.50
3,578.30
77, ‘270. 00
.561,687.50
3,578. 30
642, 535. 80
3, 175. 00
17, 308. 00
20, 483. 00
•28, 209. 82
28, 575. 75
28, ‘209. 82
56, 785. 57
39) 484. 00
607) 783. 50
39) 484. 00
647,-267.50
31)070.00
•242, 940. 00
1,070)4.54.50
31) 670. 00
1,345,064.-50
•20,710.00
‘258, 615. 00
1,140,000.00
26, 710. 00
1,4-2-5,3-25.00
44, 075. 50
1,319,030.00
501,680. 70
44,075.50
1,864,786.20
3, 890. 00
189,3‘25.00
825,762.45
3, 890. 00
1, 018, 977. 45
20, 723. 39
88, 980. 00
805, 806. 50
20, 723. 39
915,509. 89
72, 425. 00
895, 550. 00
967, 975. 00
12, 6^20. 00
93) 200. 00
1,752)477.00
12, 620. 00
1,858) -297. 00
14,011.00
315.00
156,385.00
1,564,583.00
14, 9'26. 00
1,735,894.00
15, 174. ^25
1,170.00
92, 245. 00
2, 002, 090. 00
16,344.25
2, 110, 679. -25
‘23,577.32
131,565.00
2, 869, ‘200. 00
‘23, 577. 32
3,0-24,342.32
‘22, 000. 24
3, 030. 00
140, 145. 00
1,575,600.00
25, 636. ‘24
1,741, 381. ‘24
14,145.00
‘2,435.00
295, 717. 50
1,994,578.00
16, 580. 00
2, 306, 875. 50
17,115.00
643, 105. 00
2, 495, 400. 00
17, 115. 00
3, 155, 620. 00
33,592. 60
11.00
714, ‘270. 00
3, 175, 600. 00
33, 603. 60 .
3, 9-23, 473. 60
23, 620. 00
798, 435. 00
2, 579, 000. 00
23, 620. 00
3,401,055.00
27, 390. 00
770.00
978, 550. 00
2,759,000.00
‘28, 160. 00
3,765,710.00
18, 551. 00
600.00
3, 954, 270. 00
3,415,002.00
19,151.00
7, 388, 4‘2:i. 00
38, 784. 00
705. 00
2, 186, 175. 00
3, 443, 003. 00
39, 489. 00
5, 668, 667. 00
21,110.00
1,990. 00
4, 135, 700. 00
3,606,100.00
23, 100. 00
7, 764, 900. 00
56, 583. 00
1,148,305.00
2,096,010.00
55, 583. 00
3, ‘299, 898. 00
63, 702. 00
1,6‘22,515.00
2, ‘293, 000. 00
63, 702. 00
3, 979, 217. 00
31, ‘286. 61
1,040,747.50
1, 949, 135. 50
31, ‘286. 61
3,021,169. 61
24, 627. 00
1, ‘207, 437. 50
1, 0‘28, 603. 00
24, 627. 00
2, ‘260, 667. ,50
15, 973. 67
710,475.00
577, 750. 00
15,973.67
1, 304, 198. 67
23,833.90
960,017.50
1 , 442, 500. 00
•23, 833. 90
2, 426, 351. -10
24, ‘283. ‘20
4, 062, 010. 00
2, 443, 750. 00
•24, ^283. ^20
6,530,043.-20
23, 987. 52
1, 782, ‘220. 00
1,037,050.00
‘23, 987. 52
2,843,2.57.52
38, 948. 04
2, 574, 652. 50
803, ‘200. 00
38, 948. 04
3, 116,800.-54
41, ‘208. 00
2, ‘2.34, 655. 00
1,347,580.00
41, ‘208. 00
3, 623, 443. (X)
61, 836. 69
13,‘277,0‘20.00
990,450.00
61,836.69
14, 3‘29, 306. 69
6-1, 157. 99
2, 780, 930. 00
420,050.00
64, 157. 99
3, -265, 137.99
41, 785. 00
199. 3‘2
7, 948, 332. 00
922, 950. 00
41, 981. 32
8,913,-266.32
44,268. 44
199. 06
‘27, 756, 445. 50
409,600.00
44, 467. 50
28, 210, 513. 00
98,897.07
738. 36
52, 143, 446. 00
446,797.00
99, 635. 43
52, 689, 878. 43
50, 630. 94
51,505,638.50
847,410.00
50, 630. 94
52, -103, 679. 44
66,411.31
648. 47
36,355,6‘21.00
7, 852, 571. 00
67, 059. 78
44, ‘275, ‘251. 78
42, 361. 56
276. 79
20,049,799.00
5, 373, 270. 00
-42, 638. 35
‘25, 465, 707. 35
15, 748. ‘29
‘282. 50
10, 594, 454. 00
1,419,170.00
16, 030. 79
12, 0-29, 654. 79
26, 904. 63
202. 15
10,993,976.00
3. ‘214, ‘240. 00
‘27, 106. 78
14,-235,3-22.78
177, 834. 56
175. 90
10, 817, ‘287. 00
4, 452, ‘260. 00
178, 010. 46
15,447,557.46
246, 000. 00
4,578,006.50
4, 33‘2, T20. 00
‘246, 000. (X)
9, 156, 1-26. 50
364)000.00
1, 430, 708. 00
1,037,450.00
364, 000. 00
2,83‘2,158.00
205, 660. 00
11,885,175.50
681,390.00
205, 660. 00
12,772,-2-25.50
101, 000. 00
67, 588, 150. 00
3, 107, 740. 00
101,000.00
70,796,890.00
280) 750. 00
3, 600, 037. 50
5-11,691.50
280, 750. 00
4, 4‘22, 479. 00
498, 400. 00
2, 902. 082. 00
330,517.80
-198, 400. 00
3, 730,999.80
529, 737.14
4, 163, 775. 00
‘248,417.10
926, 687. 14
5, 338, 879. 24
354,292.86
7,081,607.50
319, 755. 00
968, 552. 86
8, 369, 915. 36
98, ‘265. 00
14,073,945.00
428,909.25
1 , 042, 960. 00
15, 545, 814. ‘25
98,210.00
5, 108, 625. 00
278, 876. ‘25
1 , 819, 910. 00
7,-207,411.-25
102, 665. 00
2,141,387.50
430, 343. 00
1,697, 150.00
4,268, 880.50
64, 200. 00
3, 554, 937. 50
862, 643. 00
963, 000. 00
5, 380, 580. 50
4,680,577. 44
39, 926.11
411, 776, 456. 00
100,706,382.30
10,891,393.55
5-23, 374, 231. 85
/
350
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
XXX.^CoiN AGE OF THE MiNT.S OF THE UNITED StATES
[Coinage of the mint at Philadelphia from
Calendar years.
MINOR COINAGE.
Five cents.
Three cents.
Two cents.
Brought forward
1870
?4, 513, 200. 00
240. 300. 00
28, 050. 00
301.800.00
227. 500. 00
176. 900. 00
104.850.00
126. 500. 00
$748, 620. 00
40. 050. 00
18.120.00
25.860.00
35. 190. 00
23. 700. 00
6. 840. 00
4. 860. 00
$879, 070. 00
17.225.00
14.425.00
1,300.00
1871 L.
1872
1873
1874 •-
1875
1876
1877
1878
117. 50
1,455.00
997. 75
3,618. 75
573. 830. 00
1,148,471.05
563. 697. 10
73, 824. 50
166.514.50
763. 182. 60
536, 024. 15
794, 068. 05
812. 963. 60
841. 717. 50
584. 982. 10
668, 509. 75
270. 656. 60
498, 994. 20
442. 146. 00
1.021.436.75
626, 604. 35
1,301,451.55
1.362.799. 75
70. 50
1,236.00
748. 65
32,417.25
759. 00
318. 27
169. 26
143. 70
128. 70
238. 83
1,232.49
646. 83
1879
1880
1881
1882
1883
1884
1885
1886
1887
1888
1889
1890
1891
1892
1893
1894
1895
1896
1897
1898
1899
1900
Total
18, 807, 163. 10
941,349. 48
912,020.00
\
PRECIOUS METALS IN' THE CNITED STATES
351
FROM THE[R ORGANIZATION, HY OaLKNDAR YkAHS — C’ontimied.
its organization, 17t>3, to December 31, UHX).]
MINOR COINAGE.
TOTAL COINAliE.
Cents.
Half cent.s.
Gold.
Silver.
Minor.
080, 577. 44
J39, 920. 11
:Slll,770,450.tK)
fflOO, 706, 382. 30
J10,.891,393.55
52, 750. 00
3,177,552.50
829, 400. 00
3.50, 325. 00
39, 295. tX)
l,(v58,245.00
1 , 891 , 179. 80
99,<S90.00
40, 420. 00
5, 079, 745. 00
1,980, 063. .50
369,380.00
110,705.00
35, 337,537.50
2,801,283.00
379,4.5.5.00
141,875.00
8,219,270.00
2, .579, 995. 00
342, 475. 00
135, 280. 00
5, 918, 630. 00
5, 349, 035. 00
240, 970. 00
79, 440. 00
11,700,737.50
10, 209, 307. 50
210,800.00
8, 525. 00
7, 979, 844. 00
10, 6.51, 045. .50
8, 525. 00
57, 998. 50
13, 235, 242. 00
11, 932, .8,50. 00
58, 186. 50
162, 312. 00
9, 744, 645. 00
14, 810, 776. 00
165, 003. 00
389, 649. 55
33, 322, 294. 00
12, 615, 693. 75
391,39.5.95
392,115. 75
67, 372, 810. 00
9, 170, 163. 75
428,151.75
385,811.00
35, 849, 900. 00
11,. 500, 132.00
900,400.00
455,981.09
..............
3, 273, 960. 00
13, 007, 908. 45
1,004,770.41
232, 617. 42
1,740,216.50
14, 412, 309. 25
790, 483. 78
117,653.84
5, 576, 512. 50
18, 047, 807. 20
191,622. 04
176, 542. 90
4, 345, 542. 00
20, 006, 057. 50
343,186.10
452, 264. 83
582, 383. 00
21,424,630.40
1,215,686.20
374,944. 14
6, 018, 958. 00
19, 742, 606. 45
912,200. 78
488, 093. 01
1,047,031.00
22, 474, 415. 35
1,2,83,408.49
571,828.54
2, 144, 002. .50
17, .820, 186. 60
1,384,792. 14
470, 723. 50
1, 282, 185. 00
11,30.5, 710.00
1,312,441.00
370, 498. 32
11,840,202.50
5,2.51,303.25
961 , 480. 42
460,421.95
33,011,980. 00
5, 023, .523. 45
1,134,931.70
167,521.32
56, 887, 600. 00
1,670,798.20
438,177.92
383,430.30
34, 716, 357. 50
2, 109, 797. (K)
882, 430. 66
390, 572. 93
10, 960, 060. 00
11 , 020, 909. 70
832, 718. 93
504, 663. 30
42, 080,985.00
7, 1.85, 205. 65
1,. 526, 100.05
498, 230. 79
..............
14, 759, 2.57. 50
11,770,359.75
1,124,835.14
536, 000. 31
54, 632, 7.50. 00
8, 214,. 50.5. 10
1,, 837, 4.51. 86
668, 337. 64
47, 027, 942. .50
15, .526, 687. 20
2,031,137.39
14,015,747.03
39,920.11
988, 906, 9.51. 00
424, 380, 219. 60
31,710,20.5. 72
TOTAL VALUE.
«533,37-l,231.85
4. 357. 277. 50
3,049,314.80
7.429.188.50
38.518.275.50
11.141.740. 00
11.514.035.00
22.180.845.00
18.039.414.50
25.220.278.50
24.720.424.00
40, 329, 383. 70
70.977.125.50
48.310.492.00
17, 910, 098. 80
16,949,009. 53
23,815,941.74
25. 294. 785. 00
23.222.705.00
20. 073. 705. 23
24, 804, 854. 84
21.348.981.24
13. 900. 342. 00
18,052,980. 17
39, 170, 435. 15
59, 002, 030. 12
37. 708. 585. 00
29, 413, 688. 03
50, 792, 290. 70
27, 054, 452. 39
04, 084, 706. 90
65, 185, 707. 09
1 , 448, 003, 379. 32
352
PEECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
XXX. — Coinage of the Mints of the United States
[Coinage of the mint at San Franeisoo
Calendar years.
GOLD.
SILVER.
Double
eagles.
Eagles.
Half
eagles.
Three
dollars.
Quarter
eagles.
Dollars.
Dollars.
Trade
dollars.
1854
^2, 829, 360
17, 593, 500
23. 795. 000
19.410.000
16.931.200
12, 728, 900
10. 899. 000
15. 360. 000
17, 083, 460
19,331,400
15.873. 200
20. 850. 000
16. 845. 000
18. 415. 000
16. 750. 000
13. 735. 000
19. 640. 000
18. 660. 000
15. 600. 000
20.812.000
24. 280. 000
24. 600. 000
31.940.000
34, 700, OIM)
34. 780. 000
24. 476. 000
16.720.000
14. 510. 000
22. 500. 000
23. 780. 000
18. 320. 000
13. 670. 000
$1,238, 260
90.000
680, 000
260, 000
118,000
70.000
50. 000
165.000
125.000
100. 000
25. 000
167.000
200. 000
90. 000
135.000
64,300
80. 000
165.000
173.000
120.000
100, 000
$1,340
305.000
525. 500
435. 000
93. 000
66, 100
106.000
90.000
47, 500
85.000
19, 440
138,060
219,600
145.000
260. 000
165. 000
85. 000
125. 000
182. 000
155.000
80.000
45. 000
20.000
133.500
723. 500
2.1.31.000
6.744.500
4. 845. 000
4. 845. 000
416, 0(H)
885. 000
6. 057. 500
16,340,000
9. 560. 000
1.469.500
$615
$14, 632
1855
$19,800
103, 500
42, 000
1856
177, 800
170,000
3,000
38.000
89.000
60. 000
20,000
27, 000
24, 600
10,000
10,000
15.000
13.000
1857
1858
1859
$20,000
1860
21, 000
1861
1862
1863
1864
1865
58, 440
97, 400
70.000
85.000
73, 750
40.000
55.000
45.000
67,500
1866
1867
1868
1869 :
1870
3,000
1871
1872
9,000
700
1873
$703, 000
2.549.000
4. 487. 000
5.227.000
9.519.000
4.162.000
1874
1875
29, 000
12. 500
88.500
445, 000
108,750
1876
50, 000
170.000
261.000
2, 210, 000
5. 062. 500
9. 700. 000
1.320.000
380, 000
1 . 242. 500
2. 280. 000
8, 260, 000
8, 170.000
6. 487. 000
1.254.000
1877
1878
9. 774. 000
9.110.000
8.900.000
12,760,000
9.250.000
6. 250. 000
3. 200. 000
1.497.000
750.000
1.771.000
657.000
700.000
8, 230, 373
5. 296.000
1.200.000
100.000
1,260,000
400,000
5,000,000
5. 825. 000
4. 102. 000
2. 562. 000
3. 540. 000
1879
1880
1881
1882
1883
1884
1885
1886
1887
5, 660, 000
17.192.000
15. 494. 000
16.055.000
25. 762. 500
18. 603. 000
19. 923. 500
20. 971.000
22. 870. 000
28. 078. 500
29. 405. 000
51. 503. 500
40. 206. 000
49. 190. 000
1888
1889
1890
1891
1892
1.155.000
1.413.500
250. 000
490. 000
1.237.500
2. 347. 500
4.736.000
8.410.000
810.000
1.492.000
1.120.000
279, 500
560. 000
777.000
1.770.000
6, 987, OOO
7, 725, (XH)
1.645.000
1893
1894
1895 ;
1896
1897
1898
1899
1900
Total
978, 265, 020
74, 932, 060
79, 889, 510
186, 300
1,861,255
90, 232
102,164,073
26,617,000
prp:oious metals in the united states
853
FROM THKIR ORGANIZATION, HY CALENDAR YeAH.S — CoutillUod.
from its organization, 186-1, to December 31, 1900.]
SILVER.
Half dollars.
Quarter
(lollars.
Twenty
cents."
Dimes.
Half
dimes.
$04, 975. 00
105. 500. 00
79,000.00
238. 000. 00
283. 000. 00
236. 000. 00
469. 750. 00
676. 000. 00
458.000. 00
329. 000. 00
337. 500. 00
527. 000. 00
598. 000. 00
580.000. 00
328. 000. 00
502. 000. 00
1. 089. 000. 00
290. 000. 00
116.500.00
197.000. 00
1.600.000. 00
2.264.000. 00
2. 678. 000. 00
6, 000. 00
$99, 100. 00
71.500.00
20.500.00
30. 250. 00
20, 000. 00
14.000. 00
24. 000. 00
16. 750. 00
$7, 000. 00
0,000.00
0, 000. 00
14,000.00
17, 250. 00
18, 075. (X)
15, 750. 00
23, (XX). 00
17, 500. 00
13. 500. 00
14.000. 00
20, tXX). 00
45. 000. 00
5, 000. 00
32. 000. 00
19.000. ai
45. 500. 00
24, (XX). 00
907,000.00
l,042,aX).00
234, «X). 00
$5, OLX)
-1,5«)
o,ax)
6, oa)
6, 000
14,000
11, 51X1
5.000. 00
10, 250. 00
7.000. 00
12,000.00
24.000. 00
19.000. 00
7, 725. 00
20, 750. 00
39. 000. 00
98. 000. 00
170, 000. 00
2,149,000.00
2, 249, OOC. 00
35. 000. 00
8,050
41,850
16,200
$231, (KKl
1
56, 496. 90
4, 369. 00
20, 652. 40
445. 445. 00
172. 000. 00
97, 267. 80
142.307.60
319.011.60
99,071.00
2-19, 140. 10
2.40
112. 000. 00
57,505.60
134,284.40
170, 250. 70
186, 749. 30
516.827.00
304,000.00
554. 000. 00
241.019. 75
363. 633. 75
662.205.25
441.170.25
47,009.75
135.557.25
255, 148. 00
177. 000. 00
464. 646. 25
514. 514. 00
370,000.00
2. 024. 345. 00
554.043.00
570.474.00
466.950.00
1.179.275.00
843,205.50
1.280. 161.00
21, 855, 192. 50
8, 787, 215. 25
231,000
5, 315, 555. 80
119, 100
TOTAL COINAGE.
Gold.
$-1,084,207
18, 008, 300
25, 300, 400
20. 327. 000
17,158,200
12. 018. 000
11.178.000
15. 065. 000
17, 275, 000
10, 5^13, 400
15, 017, 040
21.213.500
17.362.000
18. 720. 000
17.230.000
14,028,050
10.848.000
18. 005. 000
16,000,000
21.154.500
24.460.000
24.674.000
32. 022. 500
35.092.000
36. 209. 500
28,955,750
28.627.000
29. 085. 000
28. 665. 000
24.576.000
20. 447. 500
22.007.500
24; 600, 000
23.390.000
25. 148. 500
19. 748. 000
16. 055. 000
25. 762. 500
21.250.000
22. 457. 000
21.500.500
23. 920. 000
30. 093. 000
33.522.500
03.226.500
56.341.000
51.645.000
1,135,224,407
Silver.
$104,075.00
184.000. 00
90,500.00
274.250.00
320. 000. 00
204.000. 00
511.000. 00
710, 825. 00
478. 750. 00
361.500.00
371.250.00
553. 500. 00
630. 000. 00
611.000. 00
403. 500. 00
507, 000. 00
1.130.775.00
380. 600. 00
920. 900. 00
2,868, 000.00
7. 395. 000. 00
10, 682, 000. 00
14. 680. 000. 00
13. 977. 000. 00
9.110.000. 00
8. 900. 000. 00
12. 760. 000. 00
9.250.000. 00
6.250.000. 00
3, 250, 496. 90
1.501.369.00
770, 052. 40
2.216. 445.00
1. 133. 000. 00
707,267.80
8. 372. 080. 60
6.169. 611.60
2, 054, 604. 75
1, 082, 773. 85
3, 946, 552. 65
1.507.213.25
5, 674, 989. 35
0,561,791.65
5, 706, 673. 70
3, 768, 954. 80
5. 801. 634. 25
165, 119, 136. 55
TOTAL VALUE.
$4,084,207.00
18. 172. 375. 00
25, 400, 400. 00
20. 420. 500. 00
17. 432. 450. 00
13. 247. 000. 00
11.442.000. 00
16. 170.000. 00
17, 986, 785. 00
20. 022. 150. 00
16.279. 140.00
21.584.750.00
17.915.500.00
19. 350. 000. 00
17, 874, OUO. 00
14.431.550.00
20. 355. 000. 00
20.041.775.00
16. 380. 000. 00
22. 075. 400. 00
27. 328. 000. 00
32.009. 000. 00
42. 704.500.00
49. 772.000. 00
50. 186. 500. 00
38. 065. 750. 00
37. 427. 000. 00
41.815.000. 00
37.915.000. 00
30.826.000. 00
23, 703, 990. 90
23.508.809.00
25, 370, 652. 40
25. 606. 445. 00
26. 281. 500. 00
20.545.267. 80
24.427.680. 60
31.932.111.60
23,304,004.75
23, 539, 773. 85
25, 447, 052. 65
25.427.213.25
35, 767, 989. 35
40,084,201.65
68, 933, 173. 70
60. 109. 954. 80
57. 446. 634. 25
1,300,343,543. 55
12U66— Ul
23
354
PEECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
XXX. — Coinage ok tiik Mints of the United States
[Coinage of the mint at New Orleans from its organization, 1S38, to
Calendar years.
GOLD.
SILVER.
Double 1
eagles. ^ l-iglt-f’-
Half
eagles.
Three
dollars.
Quarter
eagles.
Dollars.
Dollars.
1838
1839
844, 452. 50
65. 500. 00
18. 450. 00
49. 500. 00
920, 005. 00
1840
8152, 000
41, 750
1841
825. 000
274. 000
1,751,620
1.187.000
475. 000
817, 800
5. 715. 000
358, 500
239. 000
575. 000
2. 630. 000
180.000
510.000
.525, 000
180. 000
145. 000
55. 000
200. 000
23. 000
111,000
1842
82; 000
,505, 375
1,823,000
205. 000
290. 000
60, 000
1843
1844
1845
1846
165. 000. 00
310. 000. 00
859, 000
1847
1848
1849
8215, 000
14,000
290. 000
140.000
290. 000
1850
S2, 820, 000
6. 300. 000
3. 800. 000
1.420.000
65. 000
160, 000
45. 000
600, 000
705. 000
182. 000
132. 000
100. 000
46, 500
210,000.00
370. 000. 00
350. 000. 00
10, 000
1851
205, 000
1852
1853
1854
230, (K)0
55, 500
50. 000
65. 000
872, 000
382, .500. 00
1855
55, 000
1856
52, 7.50. 00
85, 000. 00
1857
1858
1859
360. 000
515. 000
1860
1861 “
1879
15. 000
92. 000
83, 500
108, 200
8, 000
2.887.000
5. 305. 000
5. 708. 000
6. 090. 000
8. 725. 000
9. 730. 000
9. 185. 000
10, 710,000
11,. 5.50, 000
12.150.000
11.875.000
10.701.000
7,954,529
2. 744.000
300. 000
1 . 723. 000
4.50. 000
4.900.000
4.004.000
4.440.000
12.290.000
12, .590, 000
1880
1881
1882
1883
1884
1885
1886
1887
*
1888
213, 350
1889
1890
1891
1892
286, 880
170.000
1,075,000
980. 000
.50, 000
5,50, 000
83, 000
1893
1894
1895
1896
1897
425, 000
1898
1899
370, 470
1900
Total
16, 375, 500
19, 804, 320
4,447,625
72,000
3, 023, 1.57. 50
1,004,000
156, 985, 529
No coinage from 1862 to 1878, inclusive.
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNI FED STATES
355
FROM THKIR ( )R(J ANI/ATION, HY CaI-K.\1)AR VkAUS — ( lollti llUod.
its suspension, 18til, iiiid from its reopoiiiug, 1K79, to December 81, I'JOO.]
SILVER.
TOTAL COINAGE.
Half
tlollars.
Quarter
dollars.
Dimes.
Half
dimes.
Three
cents.
Gold.
$40, 243. 40
124, 327. 20
117.500.00
200. 750. 00
202, 000. 00
15, 000. 00
$81,488
427, 5.50
2tX),500
478, 500
1.134.000
1,002,500
1.047.000
1.152.000
1 . 292. 000
1.590.000
1. 155.000
1.228.000
201,000
72, 000
664.000
2, 620, 000
1.844.000
1 . 329. 000
409. 000
3. 647. 000
1,417, OtX)
645. 000
165.000
$54,827.50
46, 750. 00
40, 750,00
17, 500. (X)
$14, 452. 50
217, 500. 00
85, 2(X). 00
405, 500. 00
3. 177. 000. 00
3.010.000. 00
680, 000. 00
1.272.800.00
6. 085. 000. 00
358, 500. 00
454, 000. 00
3, 619, 000. 00
9. 795. 000. 00
4. 470. 000. 00
2, 220, 000. 00
1.271.500.00
1.50. 500. 00
292, 7.50. 00
805. 000. 00
905, 0(X). 00
205. 000. 00
243. 000. 00
100.000. 00
61, .500. 00
92, 000. 00
83, .500. 00
108.200.00
8, 000. 00
$106, 300
113. 000
192, 250
242. 000
185.000
11,000. 00
23, 000. 00
92,tXX)
30, (XX). 00
7, 000. 00
34, 500. 00
43.000. 00
13.000. 00
118, 000. 00
78, (XJO. 00
30, 0(X). 00
55, aX). 00
69. 000. 00
83. 000. 00
28. 000. 00
53, 000. (X)
30. 000. 00
51.000. 00
40, 000. 00
43, 0(X). 00
110, 000. 00
177,000.00
103. 000
22, (XXI
24, 000
333. 000
371.000
44. 000
242. 000
295. 000
130, (XX)
65. 000
97.000
$21,600
118, 000. 00
154, (X)0. 00
29. 000. 00
48.000. 00
4,000.00
■
1
1 1 1
1 1 i
1 1 1
1 - 1
' i
1 1
213, 3.50. 00
1
17, 000
660, 000
849. 000
713. 000
704. 000
371.000
3.53, 700
467. 000
661, 0(X)
,854, (X)0
451. 000. 00
384, 170. 00
176. 000. 00
72, 000. 00
44. 000. 00
61.000. 00
66, 600. 00
213, (XX). (X)
265, 000. 00
201.000. 00
195. 000
694, .500
1,069,000
883. 000
462. 000
316. 000
437. 000
862. 000
1, .372, 000
336, 880. 00
720,000.00
1, 1.58,000.00
980, 000. 00
425, 000. 00
370, 470. 00
.30,092,038
8, 306, 250
3, 463, 590. 60
812, 327. 50
21,600
44, 726, 602. 50
Silver.
ff40,‘2-J3.40
2(i0, til2. 70
098, 100. 00
555. 000. 00
890, 250. 00
l,391,0t)0.00
1, 198,500.00
1.070.000. 00
1.211.000. 00
1.384.000. 00
1.020.000. 00
1.192.000. 00
1 . 450. 500. 00
327, 000. 00
152, 0(K). 00
1.225.000. 00
3, 240, 000. 00
1.918.000. 00
1.711.000. 00
927. 000. 00
3, 889, 000. 00
1.918.000. 00
1.314.000. 00
105.000. 00
2, 887, 000. 00
5, 305, 000. 00
5, 708, 000. 00
0, 090, 000. 00
8. 725. 000. 00
9. 730. 000. 00
9.185.000. 00
10.710.000. 00
11.550.000. 00
12, 150,000.00
11.875.000. 00
10.701.000. 00
8. 425. 529. 00
3.983.170.00
2, 019, 500. 00
3, 577, 000. 00
2, 081, 000. 00
5. 794. 000. 00
1. 740. 300. 00
5, 557, OIR). 00
14.078.000. 00
15.017.000. 00
199,681,335.10
TOTAL VALUE.
$^10, 243. 40
305, 095. 20
915.600.00
640.200.00
1, 295, 750. 00
4, 568, 000. 00
4. 208. 500. 00
1.750.000. 00
2. 483. 800. 00
7. 469. 000. 00
1.978.500.00
1 . 646. 000. 00
5, 075, 500. 00
10, 122, 600. 00
4.622.000. 00
3, 445, 000. 00
1, 520, 500. 00
2, 368, 500. 00
2, 036, 750. 00
1, 732, 000. 00
4, 794, 000. (X)
2. 123. 000. (K)
1.557.000. 00
265, 000. 00
2, 948, 500. 00
5. 397. 000. 00
5, 791 , 500. (X)
6, 198, 200. 00
8, 733, 000. 00
9. 730. 000. 00
9.185.000. 00
10.710. 000. 00
11.550.000. 00
12,363,350.00
1 1. 875. 000. 00
10. 701.000. 00
8,425,529. 00
4. 320. 050. 00
2, 739, 500. 00
1. 735. 000. 00
3. 061. 000. (X)
5.794.000. 00
6. 165. 300. 00
5. 557. 000. 00
14,448, 470. tX)
15, 017,000. 00
244, 407, 937. 60
85G
PKECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
XXX. — Coinage oe the Mints of the TJniteh vStates
[Coinage of the mint at Carson City,
Calendar years.
GOLD.
silver.
Double
eagles.
Eagles.
Half eagles.
Dollars.
Trade
dollars.
1870
®75, 780
293, 740
593, OtH)
448, 200
2, 301 , 700
2, 223, 020
2, 768, 820
851 , 300
263, (iOO
214, 160
f 59, 080
71,850
55, 000
•15, 130
167,670
77, 150
4(i, 960
33, 320
32, 440
17,620
111,900
210, 150
67, 640
120,000
99, 2.50
$38, 375
103, 850
84,900
37, 080
105, 990
59, MO
34,435
43, 400
45, 270
8f), 405
255. 085
69, 430
414.085
64,790
82,010
ffl2, 462
1 , 376
3, 150
2,300
1871
1872
1873
S124, 500
1,373,200
1, 573, 700
509. 000
534.000
97,000
1874
1875
1876
1877
1878
2, 212, 000
756.000
591.000
296. 000
1 . 133. 000
1 . 204. 000
1.136.000
228. 000
1879
1880
1881
1882
782, 800
1,199,240
1,622,780
189,000
1883.
1884
1885 :
1886 »
1887 »
1888“
1889 b
618, 900
1,824,180
100, 000
545, 300
368, 040
350. 000
2, 309, 041
1, 618, OtK)
1,352,000
677. 000
1890
175. 000
1 , 037, 320
400. 000
140.000
269. 000
1,040,000
414,840
300. 000
1891
1392
1893 «
ToLul
17,283,560
2, 997, 780
3, 548, 085
13,881,329
4, 211, 400
“ Coinage snspended.
Operations resumed October 1 , 18S9.
XXX. — Coinage of
THE J\ Lints of the United States
[C<anage of the mint at Charlotte, N. C., from its organization, 1838, to its suspension, 1861.]
Calendar years.
GOLD.
TOTAL VALUE.
Half eagles.
Quarter
eagles.
Dollars.
1838
164, 565
117,335
95,140
107,555
137,400
221,765
118, 155
ti;i9,770.00
45. 432. 50
32.09.5.00
25, 742. 50
16.812.50
65.240.00
29. 055. 00
$84,335.00
162. 767. 50
127. 235. 00
133.297.50
154. 242. 50
287. 005. 00
147. 210. 00
1839
1840
1841
1842
1843
1844 »
1M5'-
1846
64,975
420, 755
322, 360
324, 115
317, 955
215,880
362, 870
327, 855
196,455
198, 940
142, 285
156,800
191,280
159,2:45
74, 065
34, 395
12,020.00
58.065.00
41. 970. 00
25. 550. 00
22.870.00
37, :407. 50
24. 430. 00
76. 995. 00
478.820.00
:464,:430.00
361. 299. 00
347.791.00
324.454.50
396. 734. 00
339,:470.00
214. 696. 50
217, 935. .50
162. 067. 50
170,0.80.00
216. 920. 00
164.470.00
92, 737. 50
34. 395. 00
1847
1848
1849
W1.634
6, 966
41,267
9,4:44
11,515
4
9,803
18.50
1851
1852
1853
1854
18, 2:17. 50
9,192.50
19, 782. 50
1855
1856
1857
13,280
1858. .... . ....
22, 610. 00
1859
5,235
1860
18, 672. 50
1861
Total
4,405, 135
544, 915. 00
109, 138
5,059,188.00
Mint burned July 27,1844.
'>No coinage.
rREOlOlTS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
857
FROM THEIR ORGANIZATION, BY CALENDAR YeARS CoiltillUed.
from it.s organization, 1870, to June 30, 1893.]
SILVER.
TOTAL COINAGE.
TOTAL VALUE.
Half dollars.
Quarter
dollars.
Twenty
cents.
Dimes.
Gold.
Silver.
$27, 308. 60
69. 975. 00
136, m. 00
168,530.00
29. 500. 00
501. 000. 00
978.000. 00
710.000. 00
31,IKX).0O
$2,085.00
2, 722. .50
2, 275. 00
4, 115. 50
$173,235
469, 140
732, 900
530, 710
2,575, 360
2,359,310
2,a50,216
928,020
:341,310
318, 185
366,985
309, .580
1,264,625
1,384,030
1,801,010
189, 000
$H,a5.5.50
76, 083. .50
113, 825. (X)
302, .561. 60
1,403,781.70
2,603,858.00
3. 6.52. 000. 00
3.062.000. 00
2, 609, 000. 00
7.56.000. 00
591. 000. IX)
296. 000. 00
1,133, (XX). 00
1.201.000. 00
1,136,000.00
228. 000. 00
$21.5,090.60
545, 523. 50
876. 725. 00
8.33,274.60
3,979,141.70
4.963.168.00
6. 402.21.5.00
3.990.020.00
2,9.50, 310.00
1.074.185.00
957. 986. 00
605. 580. 00
2.397.525.00
2. 588. 030. 00
2.940.010.00
417,000.00
$2,010. 00
2,100.00
3,119. 10
1,081.70
461,500.00
827.000. 00
770. 000. 00
20,000.00
35, IHIO. 00
1,236,000.00
1,(M.8, IKX).0t)
219, 000. 00
$26, 6.58
2,000
618, 900
2,268,180
2, 177, 320
1,360,140
808, 010
3.50. 000. 00
2,309, 011.00
1,618,000.00
1,352,000.00
677. 000. 00
968, 900. 00
4,. 577, 221. 00
3. 795. 320. 00
2.712. 140.00
1.485.010.00
2, 6.51, 313. 50
2, 579, 198. 00
28, 658
2,090,110.80
2:3, 829, 425
25,41.5,009.30
19,274,434.30
<= Coinage snspenclefl from May 23, 1893.
FROM THEIR ORGANIZATION, BY CALENDAR A'eARS — Continued.
[Coinage of the mint at Dahlonega, Ga., from its organization, 1838, to its suspension, 1861.]
GOLD.
1838
1839
1810
1811
1812
1813
1811
1815,
1816,
1817,
1818
1819
18.50
1851
18.52,
1853,
1851
18.55,
18.56
18.57,
18.58,
i:j59,
1.860,
1861
Calendar years.
Half eagles.
Three dollars.
Quarter
eagles.
Dollars.
TOTAL VALUE.
$102, 915
91, 695
111,480
152, 475
298, 010
492. 260
414,910
4.53, 145
401,170
322, 025
237, 325
195, 180
219, 750
313, .550
457.260
448, 390
282, 065
112,160
98, 930
85, 2,30
76, 810
.51,830
73, 175
7, 985
5,636,055
$3, 360
m, 186. IX)
8. 830. 00
10.410.00
11,607.50
90, 622. .50
43, 330. IK)
48. 6.50. 00
48, 257. .50
39. 160. 00
31, 427. ,50
27, 362. .50
30. 370. 00
28.160.00
10, 196. 00
7.91.5.00
4. 400. 00
2,807.50
2.1.85.00
5.910.00
5,610.00
$21,, 588
8,382
9, 882
6, 360
6, .583
2, 935
1,811
1,460
3, 533
3, 477
4,9.52
1, .566
3,360
491, 625. 00
72, 629
$102, 916. 00
128, 880. (X)
12.3.310.00
162, .88.5. 00
309, 617. .50
.582, 782. 60
488.240.00
.501,79.5.00
419, 727. .50
361.485.00
271, 762. .50
214, 130. ,50
258, .502. (X)
351,. 592. (X)
473. 815. 00
462. 918. 00
292, 7(>0. 00
116, 778. .50
102, .575, 00
91. 673. 00
80. 287. 00
62.392.00
74, 741. (X)
7,985.00
Total
6, 106, 569. 00
858
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
XXX. — Coinage oe the Mints of the United States
RECAPITULATION.
Calendar years.
GOLD COINAGE.
Double
eagles.
Eagles.
Half
eagles.
Three
dollars.
Quarter
eagles.
Dollars.
1793-95
827, 950
60, 800
91, 770
79, 740
174, 830
259, 660
292,540
150, 900
89, 790
97,950
$43, 535
16,995
32, 030
124, 335
37,255
58, 110
130, 030
265, 880
167, 530
152. 375
165, 915
320. 465
420. 465
277, 890
169.375
501.435
497, 905
290. 435
477, 140
77,270
3,175
1796
$166. 00
4.390.00
1.635.00
1.200.00
1797
1798
1799
1800
1801 r
1802
6.630.00
1.057.50
8,317.60
4.452.50
4.040.00
17,030.00
6.776.00
1803
1804
1805
1806
1807
1808
1809
1810
1811
1812
1813
1814
1815
1816
1817
1818
24^ 940
258,615
1,319,030
173, 205
88,980
72,425
86, 700
145, 300
90, 345
124, 565
140,146
287, 210
631,756
702, 970
787, 435
968, 150
3, 6()0, 845
1,857,670
2, 765, 735
1,035,606
1,600,420
802,745
1,048,630
380, 945
665, 330
4,275,426
4,087, 716
2, 743, 640
2, 736, 155
5, 382, 685
1,863,560
1, 184, 645
860, 160
2,651,955
3, ()89, 635
2, 305, 095
1,513,235
1,257,090
1,806,665
1, 232, 970
439, 770
361,235
352, 365
3,332,130
69, 825
97, 360
40, 540
144,636
263, 200
179,600
288, 625
163, 926
1819
1820
1821
16, 120. 00
1822
1823
1824
6, 600. 00
11,085.00
1,900.00
7, 000. 00
1825
1826
1827
1828
1829. ■
8, 607. 50
11. 350. 00
11.300.00
11,000.00
10. 400. 00
293.426.00
328.605.00
1.369. 966. 00
112. 700. 00
137. 345. 00
191. 622. 50
153.672.50
64. 602. 50
85. 007. 50
1.327.132.50
89. 345. 00
276.277.60
279. 272. 50
482.060.00
98. 612. 50
111.147.60
895. 547. 60
3,867,337.60
3.283.827.50
3.519.616.00
1.896.397.50
6lX), 700. 00
1.213.117.50
796.235.00
144. 082. 50
142.220.00
164.360.00
3.241.295.00
300.882.50
27.076.00
7, 185. 00
62.302.60
105. 176. 00
78. 125. 00
94. 062. 60
84. 612. 60
1830
1831
ia32
1833
1834
1835
1836
1837
1838
72, 000
382. 480
473, 380
656, 310
1, 089, 070
2, 506, 240
1,260,610
736, 530
1,018,750
14, 337, 580
1,813,340
6,775,180
3,489,510
4, 393, 280
2,811,060
2, 522, 530
2, 305, 760
1,487,010
1,429,900
481,060
343, 210
253, 930
278, 830
1,287,330
234,950
112. 480
60, 800
207, 050
237,800
121,400
241 , 550
82, 850
1839
1840
1841
1842
1843
1844
1845
1846
1847
1848
1849
$936,789
511,301
3, 658, 820
2,201,145
4,384,149
1, 657, 016
824, 883
1, 788, 996
801 , 602
131,472
193,431
61, 234
527, 499
1,326,865
6. 250
5, 960
3, 725
7,180
5.250
10,625
6,925
18.50
»26, 225, 220
48, 013,100
41,860,520
26, 646, 520
18,052,340
25, 046, 820
30,437,560
28. 797. 500
21,873,480
13,782,840
22,584,4(K)
74,989,060
18, 926, 120
22, 187, 200
19, 958, 900
27.874.000
30. 820. 500
23, 436, 300
18.722.000
17,238,100
1851
1852
1863
18fyl
$191,214
171,465
181,530
104, 673
6, 399
46,914
42,465
18,216
17,355
15, 117
8,040
3, 495
12,090
7,950
14, 625
7,575
1856
18.57
1858
1859
1860
1861
1862
1863
1864
1865
1866
1867
1868
1869
Carried forward
560,502,480
54, 819, 680
67, 470, 880
1,149,123
26, 065, 402. 50
19,040,007
PKECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
859
FROM THEIR ORGANIZATION, HV CALENDAR YeARS — CoiltilllUxl.
RECAPITULATION.
SILVER COINAGE.
Trade
dollars.
Dollars.
Half dollars.
Quarter
dollars.
Twenty
cents.
Dimes.
Half dimes.
Three
cents.
S-204, 791
72,920
7,770
327, 530
423, 515
220, 920
64, 454
41,050
00, 004
19, 570
321
$101,572.00
$4, 320. 80
511. 50
2, 226. 35
$1,473.50
63.00
$2,213.50
2, 620. 10
2,755.00
1,959.00
2. 170. 00
3.404.00
1,097.60
3. 304. 00
820. .50
12,078.00
1,200.00
1.695.50
650.50
1.892.50
15. 144. 60
14,945.00
15, 857. 50
78. 269. 60
105. 801. 00
419.788.00
525. 788.00
684.300.00
702. 905. 00
638. 138.00
601, 822. OO
814. 029. 50
620,951.60
619. 537. 50
1,084.50
30,348.50
51,631.00
65,160.75
780.00
10, 500. 00
4.471.00
635.50
6.518.00
42, 150. 00
17,308.00
6,000. 75
23,575.00
607. 783. 50
980. 161.00
1.104.000. 00
376.561.00
652.898.50
779.786.50
847. 100.00
1.752.477.00
1.471.583.00
2.002.090.00
2. 746. 700. 00
1.537.600.00
1.850. 078.00
2. 382. 400. 00
2.936.830.00
2.398.500.00
2.603.000. 00
3.206.002.00
2.676.003.00
3.273.100.00
1.814.910.00
1. 773. 000. 00
1.748. 708.00
1. 145. 054. 00
365. 500. 00
1,48^1,882.00
3.056.000. 00
1.886.500.00
1. 341. 500. 00
2. 257. 000. 00
1.870.000. 00
1.880.000. 00
1.781.000. 00
1.341.500.00
301. 375. 00
110.565.00
2. 430. 354. 00
4.111.000. 00
2. 288. 725. 00
1.903.500.00
1. 482. 000. 00
5. 998. 000. 00
2.074.000. 00
1. 032. 850. 00
2.078.950.00
802. 175.00
709.830.00
518.785.00
693.450.00
899.812.50
810. 162. 50
769. 100. 00
725.950.00
90,293.50
36, 000. 00
31.861.00
64,212. 75
16.020.00
4,450.00
94, 258. 70
118,651.20
10, 000. 00
44,000.00
42, 000. 00
51,000.00
1,000.00
25, 500. 00
121.500.00
12.500.00
77.000. 00
51.000. 00
77. 135. 00
52. 250. 00
48. 500. 00
63. 500. 00
141.000. 00
119.000. 00
104.200.00
239, 493. 40
229,638.70
253.358.00
363. 000. 00
390. 750. 00
152.000. 00
7. 250. 00
198.500. 00
3. 130. 00
24. 500. 00
45. 150. 00
113. 900. 00
244.160.00
142.650.00
196.550. 00
1,327, 301.00
624. 000. 00
207.500.00
703. 000. 00
712. 000. 00
189. 000. 00
97. 000. 00
78. 700. 00
209. 650. 00
102. 830. 00
17. 196. 00
26.907.00
18.550.00
14.372.50
14. 602. 50
72.025. 00
70. 000. 00
61.500.00
02, 000. 00
62. 135. 00
48. 250. 00
68. 500. 00
74. 000. 00
138.000. 00
95. 000. 00
113.800.00
112. 750. 00
108. 285. 00
113, 954. 25
98. 2.50. 00
58.250. 00
68. 2.50. 00
32. 500. 00
78. 200. 00
1.350.00
03, 700. 00
03, 400. 00
72, 450. 00
82, 2.50. 00
82. 050. 00
63.025.00
785.251.00
365. 000. 00
117. 500. 00
299.000. 00
433. 000. 00
258.000. 00
45. 000. 00
92. 950. 00
164. 050. 00
74, 627. 50
5. 923. 00
4, 523. 50
6. 675. 00
6, 536. 25
0,431.25
18.295.00
21.930.00
99.600.00
80, 000. 00
39. 000. 00
71.500.00
488.000. 00
118.000. 00
63. 100. 00
208, 000. 00
122.786.50
153,331.75
143. 000. 00
214. 250. 00
403.400.00
290.300.00
230. 500. 00
127, .500. 00
275, .500. 00
36, .500. 00
85.000. 00
1.50. 700. 00
62. 000. 00
68.205.00
4. 146.555.00
3, 400, 000. 00
857. 3.50. 00
2.129.500.00
2.726.500.00
2. 002.250.00
421.000. 00
312.350.00
1.237.6.50.00
249. 887. 50
48. 015. 00
28,617.50
25. 075. 00
11.381.25
17. 150. 25
31, 500.j00
23.150.00
1,000
300
61,005
173, 000
184, 618
106, 100
20,000
24, .500
169, 600
140, 750
15. 000
62, 600
47. 500
1,300
1,100
40,110
33, 140
20. 000
63. 500
94,000
$185,022.00
559, 905. 00
342, 000. 00
20. 130. 00
4.170.00
43. 740. 00
31. 260. 00
48. 120. 00
10. 950. 00
8.010.00
14.940.00
10, 900. 50
643. 80
14.10
255. 00
681. 75
138. 75
123. 00
153.00
030, .500
733, 930
78,500
12, 090
27, 060
31,170
47, 000
49, 625
60, 325
182, 700
424, 300
5,0.53,440
95,509,284.50
21, 727, 878. 00
8, 376, 184. 10
4,529,818.90
1,281,762.90
360
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
XXX. — Coinage op tjie Mints of the United States
RECAPITULATION— Continued.
GOLD COINAGE.
Calendar years.
Brought forward
1870
1871
1872
1873
1874
1875
187G
1877
1878
1879
1880
1881
1882
1883
1884
1885
1886
1887
1888
1889
1890
1891
1892
1893
1894
1895
1896
1897
1898
1899
1900
Total
Double
eagles.
$560,
22,
20,
21,
55,
33,
32,
46,
43,
45,
28,
17,
14,
• 23,
24,
19,
13,
5,
21,
16,
19,
25,
19,
27,
48,
45,
43,
57,
M,
73,
86,
502. 480
819. 480
456, 740
230, 600
456. 700
917. 700
737,820
386, 920
504.700
916, 500
889, 260
749. 120
685. 200
295, 400
980, 040
944. 200
875. 560
22; 120
662, 420
717. 320
995. 120
399, 080
891,340
238. 760
178. 320
360, 800
163. 120
931. 760
070, 220
912, 900
693. 680
681. 680
1,672,067,060
Eagles.
$54,819,680.
164. 430
264, 660
244,500
173, 680
799, 270
78,350
104,280
211,490
1,031,440
6, 120, 320
21, 715, 160
48, 796, 250
24, 740, 640
2. 595. 400
2,110,800
4, 815, 270
10,621,600
8, 706, 800
8, 030, 310
4,298,850
755. 430
1,956,000
9. 817. 400
20, 132, 450
26, 032, 780
7,148,260
2, 000, 980
12,774,090
12, 857, 970
21, 403, 520
3, 749, 600
319, 061, 6.50
Half eagles.
f67, 470, 880
143, 550
245,000
275, 350
754, 605
203, 530
105, 240
61,820
182,660
1,427,470
3, 727, 155
22, 831, 765
33, 458, 430
17,831,885
1,647,990
1, 922, 250
9, 065, 030
18, 282, 160
9, 560, 435
1,560,980
37, 825
290, 640
1,347,065
6, 724, 700
9, 610, 985
5, 152, 275
7, 289, 680
1,072,315
6,109,415
10,154,475
16,278,645
8, 673, 650
262, 499, 855
Three
dollars.
Quarter
eagles.
Dollars.
$1,149,123
$26,065,402.50
$19, 040, 007
10, 605
51,387.50
9,335
3, 990
68, 375. 00
3,930
6, 090
52,575.00
3,530
75
512, 562. 50
125, 125
125, 460
9, 850. 00
198,820
60
30,050.00
420
135
23, 052. 50
3,245
4,464
92, 630. 00
3, 920
246, 972
1,1(»,650.00
3,020
9, 090
331,225.00
3,030
3,108
7, 490. 00
1,636
1, 650
1, 700. 00
7,660
4, 620
10, 100. 00
5,040
2, 820
4,900.00
10, 840
3,318
4, 982. 50
6, 206
2, 730
2, 217. 50
12, 205
3, 426
10,220.00
6,016
18, 480
15, 705. 00
8,543
15, 873
40, 245. 00
16,080
7, 287
44,120.00
30, 729
22,032.50
27’ 600. 00
6, 362. 50
75' 265. 00
lOi 305. 00
15j 297. 50
48j 005. 00
74^760.00
60i 412. 50
68| 375. 00
168,' 012. 50
1,619,376
29,115, 867.50
19, 499, 3;17
“Includes $-175,000 in Columbian coins.
V Includes $2,026,052.50 in Columbian coins.
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES. •
301
FROM TUKiK ORGANIZATION, RY Calkndah Ykars — Continued.
RECAPITULATION— Continued.
Trade
dollars.
Dollars.
$5,053,440
445, 462
1,117,136
1,118,600
$1,225,000
296, 600
4, 910, 000
6, 279, 600
6, 192, 1.50
13,092,710
4, 259, 900
22,495,5.50
1,541
27,560,100
1,987
27, 397, 3.55
960
27, 927, 975
1,097
27,574,100
979
28, 470, 039
28, 136,875
28, 697, 767
31,423,886
33,611,710
31, 990, 833
34,651,811
38,043,00-4
23,562,735
6,333,245
1,455,792
3, 093, 972
862, 880
19,876, 762
12, 651, 731
14, 426, 735
15, 182, 846
<>25, 010, 912
35, 965, 924
518, 469, 853
Half dollars.
»95, 509,
829,
1,741,
806,
1,593,
1,406,
5,117,
7,451,
7, 540,
726,
2,
4,
5,
9
*“»
4,
9
3;
2,
2,
6,
6,
6,
100,
» 1, 652,
>>4,003,
3, 667,
2,354,
1,507,
2,023,
3, 094,
4, 474,
5, 033,
284.50
758.50
655. 00
775.00
780.00
650.00
750.00
575.00
255.00
200.00
950.00
877.50
487.50
750. 00
519.50
637. 50
065.00
943.00
855.00
416.50
355.50
295.00
300.00
136. 50
948.50
831.00
652. 00
855. 00
315. 50
642. 50
628. 50
617.00
150, 747, 761. 50
SILVER COINAGE.
Quarter i Twenty
dollars. | cents.
$21,727,878.
23, 935.
53,255.
68, 762.
414,190.
215, 975.
1,278,375.
7,839,287.
6,024,927.
849,200.
3, 675.
3,738.
3, 243.
4,075.
3, 859.
2,218.
3, 632.
1,471.
2, 677.
306, 708.
3, 177.
20, 147.
1,551,150.
2. 960. 331.
2, 583, 837.
2, 233, 448.
2, 255, 390.
1,386,700.
2, 524, 440.
3.497.331.
3,994,211.
3, 822, 874.
00
00
50
50
50
00
00
.50
50
00
00
75
75
00
75
75
50
50
50
25
75
50
00
00
50
25
25
25
00
75
60
25
65, 66-1, 127. 25 .
$265, 598
5, 180
102
120
271,000
Dimes.
$8, 376, 184.
52, 150.
109,371.
261,0-15.
443,329.
319, 1.51.
2,406,570.
3,015,115.
1,735,051.
187,880.
1,510.
3, 735.
2, 497.
391,110.
767,571.
393,134.
257,711.
658, 409.
1, -573, 838.
721, 648.
835, 338.
1,133,461.
2,304,671.
1, 695, 365.
759, 219.
205, 099.
225,088.
318,581.
1,287, 810.
2,015,324.
2, 409, 833.
2,477,918.
Half
dimes.
10
00
00
00
10
70
00
00
00
00
00
50
50
00
20
90
70
40
90
70
90
70
60
50
30
60
00
80
80
20
90
20
I
$4,.529,818.90
26.830.00
82. 493. 00
189, 247. .50
51.830.00
37,344,728. 20
$1,281,762.90
120. 00
127. 80
58. .50
18.00
4,-880,219. 40
Three
cents.
1,2-82,0-87.20
Includes $10,005.75 in Columbian coins.
‘> Includes 50,000 Lafaj'ette souvenir dollars.
362
PEECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
XXX. — Coinage op the Mints op the United States
RECAPITULATION— Continued.
Calendar years.
jMINOR coinage.
Five cents.
Three cents.
Two cents.
1793-1795
1796
1797 :
1798 1
1799
1800
1801
1802
1803
1804 . .
1805
1806
1807
1808 ^
1809
1810
1811
1812
1813
1814 •
1815
1816
1817
1818
1819
1820
1821
1822
1823
1824
1825
1826
1827
1828
1829
1830
1831
1832
1833
1834
1835
1836
1837
1838 n
'
1839
1840
1841
1842
1843
1844
1845
1846
1847
1M8
1849
1850
1851
1852
1853
185^1
1855
1856
1857
1858
18.59
1860 :
1861
1862
1863
1864
$396, 950. 00
272, 800. (X>
63. 540. 00
58. 775. 00
5(5, 075. 00
30. 930. 00
1865
$341, 460. 00
144. 030. 00
117. 4.50. 00
97, .560. 00
48,120.00
1866
S737, 125.00
1,54.5,475.00
l,440,a50. 00
819, 7.50. 00
1867
1868
1869
Carried forward
4,543, 200.00
748, 620. 00
879,070.00
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
8G3
FROM TDEIR ORGANIZATION, RY CALENDAR YeaRH — Continued.
RECAPITULATION— Continued.
MINOR COINAGE.
TOTAL COINAGE.
Cents.
Half cents.
Gold.
Silver.
Minor.
810, 660. 33
$712. 67
$71,486.00
$370, 683. 80
$11,. 373. 00
9, 747. 00
677. 40
77, 960. 00
77,118.50
10,324.40
8, 975. 10
535. 24
128, 190. 00
14,550.45
9,610.34
9, 797. 00
205, 610. 00
330, 291.00
9, 797. 00
9, 045. 86
60. 83
213, 285. 00
423, 515. 00
9, 106. 68
28, 221. 75
1, 057. 65
317,760.00
224, 296. 00
29,279.40
13,628.37
422,570.00
74, 768. 00
13, 628. 37
34, 351. 00
71.83
423, 310. 00
68,343.00
34,422.83
24, 713. 63
489. 50
268, 377. 60
87,118.00
25,203. 03
7,568.38
6, 276. 56
268, 642. 50
100, 340. 50
12,844.94
9,411.16
4,072.32
170, 367. 50
149, 388. 50
13,483.48
3, 480. 00
1,780.00
324, 505. 00
471,319.00
5, 260. 00
7,272.21
2, 380. 00
437,495.00
597, 448. 75
9, 652. 21
11, 090. 00
2, 000. 00
284, 665. 00
684, 300. 00
13, 090. 00
2,228.67
5, 772. 86
169,375.00
707,376.00
8,001.63
14, 585. 00
1,075.00
501,435.00
638, 773. 50
15, 660. 00
2, 180. 26
315. 70
497,905.00
608, 340. 00
2, 495. 95
10,755.00
290, 436. 00
814,029.60
10, 755.00
4, 180. 00
477,140.00
620, 951. 50
4, 180. 00
3,578. 80
77, 270. 00
561, 687. 60
3,578.30
3, 175. 00
17, 308. 00
28, 209. 82
28i 675. 75
28, 209. 82
39il84.00
607j 783. 50
39; 484. 00
3li670.00
242, 940. 00
1,070;454.50
31; 670. 00
26, 710. 00
268,616.00
1,140,000. 00
26,710.00
44,076.60
1,319,030.00
501, 680. 70
44,075.60
3, 890. 00
189,325.00
825, 762. 45
3,890.00
20, 723. 39
88,980.00
805, 806. 60
20,723.39
72, 426. 00
895, 550. 00
12, 620. 00
93', 200. 00
1,752; 477.00
12,620.00
14,611.00
315.00
166, 385. 00
1,664,583.00
14, 926. 00
15, 174. 26
1,170.00
92,245.00
2, 002, 090. 00
16, 344. 26
23,577.32
131,566.00
2, 869, 200. 00
23, 577. 32
22, 606. 24
3, 030. 00
140, 145. 00
1,575,600.00
25, 636. 24
i4, 145. 00
2,435.00
295, 717. 60
1,994,578.00
16, 580. 00
17,115.00
643, 105. 00
2,495, 400.00
17, 115. 00
33, 592. 60
11.00
714,270.00
3, 175, 600. 00
33, 603. 60
23, 620. 00
798,435.00
2,579,000.00
23, 620. 00
27, 390. 00
770. 00
978,650.00
2, 759, 000. 00
28, 160. 00
18,551.00
600.00
3,954,270.00
3, 415, 002. 00
19,151.00
38, 784. 00
705. 00
2, 186, 176. 00
3,443,003.00
39, 489. 00
21,110.00
1,990.00
4,135,700.00
3, 606, 100. 00
23, 100. 00
55,583.00
1,148,305.00
2,096, 010.00
65,583.00
63, 702. 00
1,809,766.00
2, 333, 243. 40
63, 702. 00
31,286.61
1, 376, 847. 60
2, 209, 778. 20
31,286.61
24,627.00
1,675, 482.50
1, 726, 703. 00
24,627.00
15, 973. 67
1,091,857.50
1, 132, 750. 00
15,973. 67
23,833.90
1, 829, 407. 60
2, 332, 760. 00
23,833.90
24, 283. 20
8, 108,797.50
3, 834, 750. 00
24,283.20
23, 987. 52
5, 427, 670. 00
2, 235, 550. 00
23, 987. 52
38, 948. 04
3, 756, 447. 60
1,873,200.00
38, 948. 04
41, 208. 00
4,034, 177.50
2, 558, .580. 00
41,208.00
61,836.69
20, 202, 325. 00
2, 374, 450. 00
61, 836. 69
64,1.57.99
3,775, 612.50
2,040,050.00
(H, 157. 99
41,78.5.00
199. 32
9,007, 761.50
2, 114, 950. 00
41,984.32
44,268.44
199. 06
31,981,738.50
1,866, 100.00
44,467.60
98, 897. 07
738. 36
62,614,492.50
774,397.00
99,635.43
60, 630. 94
56,846,187.60
999,410.00
50, 630. 94
66,411.31
648. 47
39,377,909.00
9,077,671.00
67, 059. 78
42,361.56
276. 79
2.5,915,962.50
8,619,270.00
42, 638. 36
15, 748. 29
282. 50
29, 387, 968. 00
3,501,245.00
16,030. 79
26, 904. 63
202. 15
36,1357, 768. 50
5, 142, 240. 00
27, 106. 78
177, 834. 56
175. 90
32, 214, 040. 00
5,478, 760.00
178, 010. 46
246, 000. 00
22, 938, 413. 50
8,49.5, 370.00
246,000.00
364, 000. 00
14,780, 570.00
3,284,450.00
364, 000. 00
205, 660. 00
23, 473, 654. 00
2, 259, 390. 00
205, 660. 00
101,000.00
83, 395, 530. 00
3,783,740.00
101,000.00
280, 7.50. 00
20, 875, 997. 50
1,252,516.50
280,750.00
498, 400. 00
22, 445, 482. 00
809, 267. 80
498, 400. 00
.529, 737. 14
20,081,415.00
609,917.10
926, 687. 14
354, 292. 86
28,295, 107.50
691,005.00
968, 552. 86
98, 265, 00
31,435, 945.00
982, 409. 25
1, 042, 960. 00
98, 210. 00
23, 828, 625. 00
908,876.25
1,819, 910.00
102,66.5.00
19, 371,387.50
1,074,343.00
1, 697, 150. 00
64,200.00
17, 582, 987. 50
1, 266, 143. 00
963, 000. 00
4,680,577.44
39,926.11
729,047,572.50
136,478,368.40
10,891,393. 56
TOTAL VALUK.
$153, 511. 80
165, 402. 90
152, 250. 79
545, 698. 00
645, 906. 68
671,335. 40
510, 956. 37
516, 075. 83
370. 698. 53
371,827.94
333 239. 48
801.084.00
1,044,595.96
982. 055. 00
884. 752. 53
1.155. 868.50
1, 108, 740. 95
1.115.219.50
1.102.271.50
642, 535. 80
20,483.00
66, 786. 57
647, 267. 50
1.345. 064.50
1. 425. 325. 00
1, 864, 786. 20
1,018,977.45
915, 509. 89
967. 975. 00
1.858.297.00
1.735.894.00
2, 110, 679. 25
8,024,342.32
1, 741,381.24
2. 306. 876. 50
3. 155. 620. 00
3, 923, 473. 60
3.401.055.00
3. 765. 710. 00
7. 388. 423. 00
6. 668. 667. 00
7. 764. 900. 00
3. 299. 898. 00
4. 206. 710. 40
3, 617, 912. 31
3. 426.812.50
2,240,581.17
4.185.991.40
11,967,830. 70
7,687,207.52
5. 668. 595. 50
6, 633. 965. 54
22,638,611.69
6, 879, 720. 49
11, 164, 695. 82
33, 892, 306 00
63, 488, 524. 93
57, 896, 228. 44
48,522,539. 78
34, 577, 870. 85
32, 905, 243. 79
42,027,115.28
37, 870, 810. 46
31.679. 783.50
18.429.020.00
25.938. 704.00
87.280.270.00
22. 409. 264. 00
23, 753, 149. 80
21.618. 019.24
29, 954, 665. 36
33.461.314.25
26. 557. 411. 25
22. 142. 880. 50
19.812.130.50
876,417,334.45
364
PRECIOUS METALS IN THE UNITED STATES
XXX. — Coinage OF THE Mints op the United States
RECAPITULATION— Coutinued.
Calendar years.
MINOK COINAGE.
Five cents.
Three cents.
Two cents.
Brought forward
1870 :
94,543,200.00
240. 300. 00
28, 050. 00
301.800.00
227. 500. 00
170. 900. 00
104. 850. 00
126. 500. 00
9748, 620. 00
40.060.00
18.120.00
25. 860. 00
35. 190. 00
23. 700. 00
6. 840. 00
4. 860. 00
9879,070.00
17.225.00
14. 425. 00
1, 300. 00
1871
1872
1873
1874
1875
1876
1877
1878
117.50
1,455.00
997. 75
3, 618. 75
573. 830. 00
1,148,471.05
663. 697. 10
73, 824. 60
166. 614. 60
763. 182. 60
636,024.15
794, 068. 05
812. 963. 60
841, 717. 50
584. 982. 10
668, 509. 75
270, 656. 60
498,994.20
442.146.00
1.021.436.75
626, 604. 35
1,301,461.65
1. 362. 799. 75
70.50
1,236.00
748. 65
32, 417. 25
759.00
318. 27
169. 26
143. 70
128.70
23s. 83
1,232.49
646. 83
1879
1880
1881
1882
1883
1884
1885
1886
1887
1888
1889
1890
1891
1892
1893
1894
1895 ■
1896
1897
1898
1899
1900
Total
18,807,163. 10
941,319. 48
912,020.00
PRp]CIOUS METALS TN THE UNITED Sl’ATES.
8()5
FROM THKIK OuO ANIZATIUN, HY CaLKNDAU YeAKS — ( /Ollt imied.
RECAPITULATION— Continued.
MINOR COINAGE.
Cents.
Half cents.
$-1,680,577.44
$39, 926. 1 1
52, 750. 00
39,295.00
40, 420. 00
116,765.00
141,875.00
136,280.00
79, 4-10. 00
8, 525. 00
57, 998. 50
162, 312. 00
389, 649. 55
392, 115. 75
385,811.00
455, 981. 09
232,617.42
117,653.84
176,542.90
452,264.83
374,914.14
488, 693. 61
571,828.54
470, 723. 50
376, 498. 32
466,421.95
167, 521. 32
383,436.36
390, 572. 93
504,663.30
498,230. 79
536,000. 31
668,337.64
14,016,747. 03
39, 926. 11
Gold.
$729, 017, 572. 50
23. 198. 787. 50
21.032.685.00
21.812.645.00
57.022.747.50
35.254.630.00
32,951,9-10.00
46. 579. 452. 50
43, 999, 86-1. 00
49, 786, 052. 00
39.080.080.00
62. 308. 279. 00
96. 850. 890. 00
65.887.685.00
29.241.990.00
23.991.756.50
27.773.012.50
28.945.542.00
23. 972. 383. 00
31.380.808.00
21.413.931.00
20.467.182.50
29. 222. 005. 00
34. 787. 222. 50
56.997.020.00
79. 646. 160. 00
59. 616. 357. 50
47. 053. 060. 00
76. 028. 486. 00
77.985.767.50
111, 344, 220. 00
99.272.942.50
2,203,853,145.60
TOTAL OOINAGK.
Silver.
$136, 478, 368. 40
1.378.255.50
3. 104.038. 30
2. 504. 488. 50
4,024,747.60
6,851,776.70
15. 347. 893. 00
24. 503. 307. 50
28.393.045.50
28. 618. 850. 00
27.569.776.00
27, -111, 693. 75
27, 940, 163. 75
27. 973. 132. 00
29.246. 968. 45
28. 534. 866. 15
28.962.176. 20
32.086.709.90
35, 191, 081. 40
33.025.606.45
35. 496. 683. 16
39.202.908.20
27,518,856.60
12,6-11,078.00
8.802.797. 30
9,200,360.85
5, 698,010.25
23,089,899.05
18,487,297. 30
23.034.033.45
26.061.619.90
36.345.321.45
814,625, 700.55
Minor.
$10, 891, 393. 55
350. 325. 00
99, 890. 00
369.380.00
379. 455. 00
342, 475. 00
246. 970. 00
210. 800. 00
8, 525. 00
68,186.50
165. 003. 00
391 , 395. 95
428, 151. 75
960.400. 00
1,604,770.41
796,483. 78
191, 622. 04
313, 186. 10
1, 215, 686. 26
912, 200. 78
1, 283, 408. 49
1.384.792. 14
1,312,441.00
961,480.42
1, 134, 931. 70
438.177.92
882, 430. 56
832. 718. 93
1,526,100.05
1.124.835.14
1,837,451.86
2, 031, 137. 39
34, 716,205. 72
TOTAL VALUE.
$876, 417, 334. 45
24. 927. 368. 00
24.236.613.30
24.686.513.50
61,426,950. 10
42.448.881.70
48. 546. 803. 00
71,293,5C>0.00
72.401.434.50
78. 363. 088. 50
66.814.859.00
90.111.368. 70
125,219,205.50
94.821.217.00
60, 093, 728. 86
53, 323, 106. 43
66,926,810.74
61.375.438.00
60, 379, 150. 66
65, 318, 615. 23
58,194,022.64
61,054,882. 84
56, 053, 302. 60
48,389,780. 92
66.934.749.00
89,184,688. 77
66. 196. 798. 31
70, 975, 677. 98
96,041,882.35
102,144,626.09
139,243,191.76
137,649,-101.34
3,053,195,051.77
I N I) K X .
A.
Pace.
Abyssinia, coinage of, 1898, 1899, and 1900 837
Afric'a:
German East, coinage of. 1898, 1899, and 1900 387
French colonies in. prodnction of gold 241
Gold mines of the Gold Coast 213
Prodnction of gold, 1898. 1899, and 1900.. 338
Prodnction of gold, details of 211
Alabama, i:>rodnction of:
Estimate of Director 15
Estimate of W. S. Clanton 14
Statistics of. by W. S. Clanton 184
Alaska, prodnction of:
Estimate of Director 15
Estimate of Charles G. Yale 14
Statistics of, by Charles G. Yale 55
Statistics t)f . by Cabell Wliitehead 58
Stojhng with machine drills, by B. L. Thane 07
Algeria, x>i’odnction of 214
American East Indies, prodTiction of gold in Philijipine Islands 201
Amonnt and cost of silver bnllion xmrchased, itsed in coinage of silver
dollars, wasted, sold in sweejis, and seigniorage since 1890- 20
Amonnt, cost, average price, and bnllion value of silver dollars since 1878 20
Appalachian Range, jDrodnction of:
Estimate of Director .15
Estimate of W. S. Clanton 14
Statistics of, by W. S. Clanton 179
Ax)proximate distribution of gold and silver of xirodncing States and Terri-
tories, estimate by the Director 15
Apxu’oximate gold product:
Disx)Osition of 10
Mines of United States 10
Approximate silver x^rodnct:
Disposition of. 12
Mines of United States. 12
Arabia, coinage of, 1898, 1899, and 1900 ^ 337
Argentina:
Prodnction of gold and silver, 1898, 1899, and 1900 . 338
Prodnction of gold and silver, details of 217
Algeria, silver xjrodnction of 214
Arizona, prodnction of:
Estimate of Director 15
Estimate of Charles C. Randolph 14
Statistics of, by Charles C: Randolxdi 71
Art and manufactures:
Gold and silver used in United States 33
Gold and silver used in the world 38
Assets and liabilities, mints and assay offices - 320
Australasia:
Coinage of, 1 898, 1899, and 1900 337
Gold and silver x^wlnction .since 1851 219
Gold production, by colonies 218
Prodnction of gold and silver, 1898, 1899, and 1900 338
Prodnction of gold and silver, details of 218
Prodnction of fine silver, by colonies 222
Prodnction of silver Imllion since 1851 - 220
Prodnction of silver lead and silver ore since 1851 219
367
368
1NDP^,X.
Page.
Austria-Hiiiigjiry :
Coinage of, 1898, 1899, and 1900 887
Industrial consunij)tion 47
Production of gold and silver, 1898, 1899, and 1900 ... 838
Production of gold and silver, details of 232
Average, highest, and lowest X)rice of silver 31
Average highest, and lowest in-ice of silver in London since 1888 827
Average price, amount, cost, and bullion value of silver dollar since 1878 .. 26
n.
Balance of silver bullion on hand January 1, 1901 27
Bars:
Gold exchanged for gold coin 1 37
Furnished for use in the arts since 1880 38
Manufactured at mints and assay offices 25
Manufactured at mints and assay offices, tables of _ 310
Belgium:
Coinage of, 1898 and 1899 : 337
Industrial consumption 47
Production of, details of 233
Bolivia:
Coinage of, 1898 and 1899 . . 337
Production of gold and silver, 1898, 1899, and 1900 338
Production of gold and silver, details of 234
Borneo, ijroduction of gold in 260
Brazil:
Coinage of, 1899 *. 337
Industrial consumption 47
Mining in 235
Production of gold, 1898, 1899, and 1900 338
Production of gold, details of 235
British colonies in Africa, imoduction of gold 214
British Columbia:
‘ Production of placer gold since 1858 248
Production of lode mines since 1887 248
Production, details of 244
The Klondike field 249
British East Indies, production of:
1898, 1899, and 1900 338
Malay States .* 260
New Guinea 260
British Guiana:
Coinage of, 1900 337
Production of gold, 1898, 1899, and 1900 338
Details of 270
British India:
Coinage -of, 1898, 1899, and 1900 337
Production of gold, 1898, 1899, and 1900 338
Production of gold, details of 236
British North America, gold and silver production, details of 239
Bullion:
In mints and assay offices, January 1, 1901 32
Silver, average, highest, and lowest price. 31
Silver, balance on hand January 1, 1901 27
Bullion value of silver dollar, amount, cost, and average price since 1878. . . 26
c.
Califoniia, X)roduction of:
Estimate of Director 15
Estimate of Charles G. Yale 14
Statifltics of, by Charles G. Yale 81
Methods of mining 94
Canada:
Coinage of 1898, 1899, and 1900. 337
Production of gold and silver, 1898, 1899, and 1900 — 338
Production of gold and silver since 1886 246
Production of gold and silver, details of 239
INDEX.
' 869
Cape Colony, gold i)rodnction of
Central America, x)rodtiction of gold and silver:
1898, 1899, and 1900
Details of
Industrial consnmption
Ceylon, coinage of, 1899 and 1900.
Chile:
Prodnction of gold and silver, 1898, 1899, and 1900
Prodnction of gold and silver, details of
China:
Production of gold. 1898, 1899, and 1900
Production of gold, details of
Circulation of money in the United States, January 1. 1901
Coin, subsidiary, cost of silver xnirchased
Coinage by the United States for Costa Rica
Coinage:
United States, calendar year
United States, 1898, 1899, and 1900
United States since 1873, by weight and vahie
United States since organization of Mint. 1792
World, 1898, 1899, and 1900
World, 1898, 1899, and 1900, table of
World since 1873. by weight and value
Colombia:
Exports of gold and silver
Production of gold and. silver, 1898, 1899, and 1900
Production of gold and silver, details of i
Colorado, iDroduction of:
Estimate of Director
Estimate of J. L. Hodges
Statistics of, by J. L. Hodges
Commercial value of silver
Commercial ratio of silver to gold since 1687
Cost, amount, average pnce, and bullion value of silver dollar since 1878
Cost of silver purchased for subsidiary coinage
Costa Rica, coinage of 1899 and 1900
Course of silver
Ciiragao, coinage of 1900
Cyprus, coinage of 1900
J’ayo.
216
338
255
47
337
338
257
338
258
33
25
24
24
337
23
341
50
337
51
259
338
258
15
14
100
31
327
26
25
337
31
337
337
1).
Denmark, coinage of, 1898, 1899, and 1900 337
Deposits of gold and silver:
At mints and assay offices 17, 20
At mints and assay offices, from 1880 23
Distribution:
Approximate, of gold and silver, by prodiacing States and Territories,
estimate of Director 15
Approximate, of silver product of mines of United States 15
Of gold and silver product by agents 14
Of gold and silver, by States and Territories 15
Dollar, silver, amount, cost, average price, and bullion value since 1878 — 26
Dutch East Indies:
Coinage of 1900 337
Production of gold in Borneo 260
Dutch Guiana, production of gold:
1898, 1899, and 1900 . 338
Details of 370
Production and exports of gold 276
. E-
East India, British, production in New Giiinea 260
East Indies:
American, production of gold in Philippine Islands 261
British, production of gold, 1898, 1899, and 1900 338
12060—01 24
370
INDEX.
East Indies — Continued. Page.
Britisli, production of Malay States 260
Dutcli, production of gold, 1898, 1899, and 1900 338
Dutch, production of gold in Borneo , 260
Dutch, production of gold in Sumatra 260
Dutch, production of gold in Celebes 261
Ecuador:
Coinage of, 1899 and 1900 337
Production of gold and silver, 1898, 1899, and 1900 338
Production of gold and silver, details of 264
Egypt:
Coinage of, 1898 and 1900 337
Industrial consumption 47
Employment of gold and silver in industrial arts in —
United States 33
World 38
Estimate of Director of gold and silver product of the United States 15
Exports and imports:
Gold and silver bullion and coin _• 27
Gold and silver bullion and coin, tables of 328
Exports:
Gold and silver from Mexico 281
Gold and silver from Colombia 259
F.
Finland:
Industrial consumption 47
Production, details of 265
Production of, 1898. 1899, and 1900 — 338
Fluctuation in price of silver 31
Form and distribution of stock of money in United States January 1. 1901. 33
France:
Coinage of, 1898, 1899, and 1900 337
Industi’ial consumption 47
Production of silver, 1898, 1899, and 1900 338
Production of silver, details of 266
French colonies in Africa, gold production of 214
French Guiana, production of gold:
1898, 1899, and 1900 338
Details of 270
G.
Georgia, production of:
Estimate of Director. 15
Estimate of W. S. Clanton 14
Statistics by W. S. Clanton 183
Gei-man East Africa, coinage of 1898, 1899, and 1900 337
Germany:
Coinage of 1898, 1899, and 1900 337
Industrial consumx)tion 47
Production of gold and silver, 1898, 1899, and 1900 338
Production of gold and silver, details of 267
Production of refineries 267
Gold and silver:
Approximate distribution by States, and estimate of Director 15
Bullion in mints and assay offices January 1, 1901 32
Coinage, by nations, 1898, 1899, and 1900 50
Coinage, by nations, 1898, 1899, and 1900, tables of 337
Coinage of world, weight and value since 1873. 51
Deposits of
Product of mines of the United States since 1860 17
Product of United States, estimate of agents 14
Product of the United States, estimate of the Director 15
Product of world, weight and value since 1860 50
Production of Argentina 217
Production of Australasia 218
Production of Austria-Hungary - 232
INDEX.
371
Gold and silver — Continued, Page.
Production of British North America 239
Production of Bolivia 284
Production of Central America 255
Production of Colombia 258
Production of Chile 257
Production of Ecuador. 264
Production of Finland 265
Production of Germany 267
Production of Great Britain 268
Production of Italy 276
Production of Japan 280
Production of Mexico 281
Production of Peru 289
Production of Portugal 292
Production of Russia 292
Production of Servia. 295
Production of Spain 295
Production of Sweden 297
Production of Tui*key : 298
Production in the world 48
Received at mints and assay offices since 1880 23
Used in industrial arts in the United States 33
Gold:
Bars exchanged for gold coin. 37
Bars manufactured at mints and assay offices 25
Bars manufactured at mints and assay offices, table of 310
Bullion deposited at mints and assay offices 17
Bullion deposited at mints and assay offices since 1880 23
Bullion, stock of, in United States January 1, 1901 32
Coinage of the mints of the world since 1873 51
Coinage of United States 24
Coinage of United States, table of 318
Coinage of United States since 1873, weight and value 23
Coinage of United States from organization of mint, 1792 341
Coinage of various countries, 1898, 1899, and 1900 30
Coinage of various countries, 1898, 1899, and 1900, table of 337
Deposits at mints and assay offices 17
Imports and exports 27
Imports and exports, 1900, tables of 328
Imported from West Coast of Africa into England since 1889 213
Philippine Islands 261
The Transvaal 212
Mines of the Gold Coast, Africa 213
Mines of Italian East Africa 217
Mines of Madagascar 215
Mines of New Zealand 224
Mines of Siberia 292
Mining in the Colar Fields of Mysore, India 238
Mining industry of Spain 296
Movement from United States 30
Product of mines of United States since 1860 17
Product of mines of United States, approximate 10
Product of mines of United States, approximate disposition — 15
Product of mines distributed by States and Territories 15
Product of mines reported by mint officers and agents 14
Production of the United States, 1898, 1899, and 1900, table of 338
Production of the United States, 1900 9
Production of the United States, 1900, estimate of Director 15
Production of the United States, 1900, estimate of John J. Valentine 323
Production of the United States, 1900, by placer and quartz mining 15
Production of the world 48
Production of the world, table of 342
Production of the world since 1860, by weight and vahie 50
Production of Africa 211
Production of Brazil 235
' Production of British East Indies - 260
372
INDEX.
Gold — Continued. Page.
Production of Britisli India
Production of Dutch East Indies 260
Production of Cape Colony 210
Production of China 258
Production of French colonies of Africa 241
Production of Klondike 58, 249
Production of Korea 281
Production of Madagascar 21t
Production of Nova Scotia 251
Production of Persia 288
Production of Rhodesia 216
Production of Transvaal 212
Production of Uruguay 298
Production of Venezuela 300
Production of Western Australia since 1890 227
Production of Witwatersrand since 1887 212
Production of Zululand 216
Production of British Guiana 270
Production of Dutch Guiana 270
Production of French Guiana 270
Used for industrial purposes in United States 33
Used for industrial i3urposes in United States since 1880 38
Used for industrial purposes in world 38
Gold Coast of Africa, gold mines in 213
Government purchases of silver 25
Great Britain:
Coinage of, 1898, 1899, and 1900 337
Industrial consumption 47
Production of gold and silver, 1898, 1899, and 1900 338
Production of gold and silver, details of 268
Greece:
Production of silver, 1898, 1899, and 1900 338
Production of silver, details of - 269
Guiana, British: Production of gold —
1898, 1899, and 1900 338
Details of-- 270
Guiana, Dutch: Production of gold —
1898, 1899, and 1900 338
Details of 270
Guiana, French: Production of gold —
1898, 1899, and 1900 - - 338
Details of., - 270
II.
Highest, lowest, and average price of silver in:
United States
London since 1833 - . -
Hongkong coinage. 1898, 1899, and 1900
Hungary, industrial consumption
31
327
337
43
I.
Idaho, production of:
Estimate of Director -
Estimate of J. W. Cunningham
Statistics of, by J. W. Cunningham -
Imports and exports:
Gold and silver
G«')ld and silver, tables of--
Gold into England from west coast of Africa since 1889
India:
British, coinage of, 1898, 1899, and 1900
Industrial consumption
Mining in Colar gold fields of Mysore - - .^
Production of gold, 1898, 1899, and 1900
Production of gold, details of - - -
Indo-China coinage, 1898, 1899, and 1900
15
14
137
328
213
337
44
238
338
‘236
337
INDEX.
373
Industrial arts: Page.
Gold and silver used in United States 8:1
Consuniption of gold and silver in the world 88
Italy:
Coinage of, 1898, 1899, and 1900 387
Industrial consumption 47
Production of gold and silver, 1898, 1899, and 1900 388
Production of gold and silver, details of 276
Italian East Africa, gold mines of 217
J.
Japan:
Coinage of, 1898, 1899, and 1900.
Production of gold and silver, 1898, 1899, and 1900
Production of gold and silver, details of
837
8:88
280
K.
Klondike:
Output 243
Production of gold 249
Korea:
Production of gold, 1898, 1899, and 1900 338
Production of gold, details of 281
L.
Letter of transmittal 5
Liabilities and assets, mints and assay offices 320
Lichtenstein, coinage of, 1898 and 1899 337
Location of moneys of United States 33
M.
Madagascar gold production
Market for silver
Maryland, production of:
Estimate of Director
Estimate of W. S. Clanton
Statistics of, by W. S. Clanton
Mauritius, coinage of, 1899
Metallic stock.
Mexico:
Coinage of, 1898, 1899, and 1900
Exports of gold and silver
Mining industry in
Production of gold and silver, 1898, 1899, and 1900
Production of gold and silver, details of
Production of gold and silver, estimate of John J, Valentine
Michigan, i^roduction of, estimate of Director
Minerals of the Philippine Islands.
Mining:
In Brazil
In Colar gold fields of Mysore, India
Industry in Mexico
Minor coinage of United States
Missouri, estimate of Director
Money in United States, stock of
Moneys of United States, metallic and paper, location of
Montana, production of:
Estimate of Director
Estimate of B. H. Tatem
Statistics of, by B. H. Tatem.
Morocco, coinage of, 1898, 1899, and 1900 —
Movement of gold from the United States
Mines of United States:
Approximate gold product of
Approximate disposition of product
Gold and silver product since 1860
214
31
15
14
180
337
33
337
281
283
338
281
323
15
263
235
238
283
24,318
15
32
33
15
14
139
337
30
10
10
17
374
INDEX.
Natal, production of gold 216
New South Wales, production of gold 223
New Zealand:
Dredging for gold 225
Gold mines 224
Production of gold and silver 224
Netherlands:
Coinage of, 1898, 1899, and 1900 337
Industrial consumption 47
Nevada, production of:
Estimate of Director. 15
Estimate of R. K. Colcord 14
Statistics of, by R. K. Colcord 152
The Comstock lode, by Alfred Doten 154
Newfoundland:
Coinage of, 1898, 1899, and 1900 337
Production of gold and silver, 1898 and 1899 338
New Guinea, production of gold 260
New Mexico, production of:
Estimate of Director 15
Estimate of J, L. Hodges 14
Statistics of, by J. L. Hodges 168
North Carolina, production of:
Estimate of Director 15
Estimate of W. S. Clanton 14
Statistics of, by W. S. Clanton 181
Norway:
Coinage of, 1898, 1899, and 1900. 337
Production of silver, 1898, 1899, and 1900 338
Production of silver, details of 287
Northwest Territories, production of gold 243
Notes of United States outstanding January 1, 1901 33
Nova Scotia:
Gold production of. ■. . . 241 , 251
Gold production since 1862 242
o.
Ontario, production of gold 242 .
Oregon, production of:
Estimate of Director . - . 15
Estimate of F. A. Wing 14
Statistics of, by F. A. Wing 173
p.
Paper money in circulation in United States, January 1, 1901
Paraguay, industrial consumption
Persia, coinage of, 1898
Production of
Peni:
Coinage of, 1898, 1899, and 1900
Production of gold and silver, 1898, 1899, and 1900
Production of gold and silver, details of
Pliilippine Islands:
Gold in
Minerals of the
Portugal:
Coinage of, 1898, 1899, and 1900
Industrial consumption
Production of gold and silver, 1898, 1899, and 1900
Production of gold and silver, details of
Price of silver
Production of gold in —
Africa
American East Indies
Brazil
33
47
337
288
337
338
289
261
263
337
47
338
292
31
211
261
235
INDEX.
875
Production of gold in — Page.
British colonies in Africa 215
British East Indies 200
British India 286
British Guiana 270
China 258
Dutch East Indies 200
Dutch Guiana 270
French colonies in Africa 214
French Guiana 270
Korea. 281
Klondike 240
Madagascar 214
Malay States 260
Natal - 216
New South Wales . 223
Northwest Territories 243
Nova Scotia 241
Nova Scotia, since 1862 242
Ontario 242
Philippine Islands 261
Quebec 242
Rhodesia 216
The Guianas 270
The Transvaal 212
U luiguay 298
Venezuela 300
Western Australia. 227
Witwatersrand, since 1887 212
Cape Colony. 216
Production of —
Lode mines of British Columbia, since 1887. 248
Placer gold in British Columbia, since 1859 248
Product of gold mines of United States since 1860 17
Production of gold and silver in —
Alabama, estimate of Director 15
Alabama, estimate of W. S. Clanton 14
Alabama, statistics of, by W, S, Clanton 184
Alaska, estimate of Director 15
Alaska, estimate of Charles G. Yale 14
Alaska, statistics of, by Charles G. Yale 55
Arizona, estimate of Director 15
Arizona, estimate of Charles C, Randolph 14
Arizona, statistics of, by Charles C, Randolph 71
California, estimate of Director 15
California, estimate of Charles G, Yale 14
California, statistics of, by Charles G, Yale 81
Colorado, estimate of Director 15
Colorado, estimate of J, L. Hodges 14
Colorado, statistics of, by J, L. Hodges.. 100
Georgia, estimate of Director 15
Georgia, estimate of W. S. Clanton 14
Georgia, statistics of, by W. S. Clanton 183
Idaho, estimate of Director 15
Idaho, estimate of J, W-. Cunningham i... 14
Idaho, statistics of, by J. W. Cunningham 137
Maryland, estimate of Director 15
Maryland, estimate of W, S. Clanton 14
Maryland, statistics of, by W. S. Clanton 180
Michigan, estimate of Director 15
Missouri, estimate of Director 15
Montana, estimate of Director. 15
Montana, estimate of B. H. Tatem 14
Montana, statistics of, by B. H, Tatem 139
Nevada, estimate of Director 15
Nevada, estimate of R. K, Colcord 14
Nevada, statistics of, by R. K, Colcord 152
New Mexico, estimate of Director 15
376 INDEX
Prodnction of gold and silver in — ' Page.
New Mexico, estimate of J. L. Hodges. 14
New Mexico, statistics of, by J. L. Hodges 168
North Carolina, estimate of Director 15
North Carolina, estimate of W. S. Clanton 14
North Carolina, statistics of, by W. S. Clanton 181
Oregon, estimate of Director 15
Oregon, estimate of F. A. Wing 14
Oregon, statistics of, by F. A. Wing 173
South Carolina, estimate of Director 15
South Carolina, estimate of W. S. Clanton 14
South Carolina, statistics of, by W. S. Clanton 182
South Dakota, estimate of Director 15
South Dakota, estimate of F, R. Carpenter 14
South Dakota, statistics of, by F. R. Carpenter 185
Tennessee, estimate of Director 15
Tennessee, estimate of W. S. Clanton 14
Tennessee, statistics of, by W. S. Clanton 184
Texas, estimate of Director 15
United States, 1898, 1899, and 1900 338
United States, details of 9
United States, since 1860 17
United States. 1900. 15
United States, by States and Territories 15
United States, by Mint officers and agents 14
United States, placer and quartz mining 15
Utah, estimate of Director 15
Utah, estimate of B. H. Tatem 14
Utah, statistics of, by B. H, Tatem 191
Virginia, estimate of Director. 15
Virginia, estimate of W. S. Clanton 14
Virginia, statistics of, by W. S. Clanton 181
Washington, estimate of Director 15
Washington, estimate of F. A. Wing 14
Washington, statistics of, by F. A. Wing 196
Wyoming, estimate of Director 15
Wyoming, estimate of F. R. Cai*penter 14
Wyoming, statistics of, l)y F. R. Carpenter 205
World, 1898, 1899. and 1900 338
World, since the discovery of America, table of 342
World 48
World, since 1860, weight and value. 50
Prodnction of silver in the United States —
1900.. 11
Since 1860 17
Apx)roximate 12
By States and Territories 15
Estimate of Director 15
Reported by Mint officers and agents 14
Prodnction —
Of fine silver in Australasia, by colonies, since 1851 220
Foreign countries .- 209
Foreign countries, table of 338
Algeria 214
A rgentina 217
Australasia 218
Austria-Hungary 232
Belgium 233
British North America 239
Bolivia 234
Central America 255
Colombia 258
Chile 257
Ecuador 264
Germany 267
Great Britai n 268
Italy. 276
Jai)an 280
INDEX.
377
i
Production —
Mexico -V
New Zealand
Pern
Portugal -
Rnssia
Servia.
Spain
Sweden
Turkey
Urngnay
VeneziTela
Production of silver —
France
Greece
Norway
Production of —
Silver bullion in Australasia since 1851 ...
Silver lead and silver ore in Australasia since 1851 .
Product of —
Mines of United States, approximate disposition of
Silver mines of United States
Purchase of silver
Purchase of silver and cost of, for subsidiary coin
Q.
Queensland:
Production of gold
Quebec:
Production of gold
Pago.
281
224
289
292
292
295
295
297
298
298
300
206
269
287
220
219
10,12
12
25
218
242
R.
Ratio of silver to gold each year since 1687 327
Reports of special agents on production of precious metals in the States and
Territories . 53
Redeposit of:
Gold 19
Silver 21
Rhodesia:
Production of gold ^ 216
Russia:
Coinage of, 1898, 1899, and 1900 337
Industrial consumption 47
Production of gold and silver, 1898, 1899, and 1900 338
Production of gold and silver, details of 292
s.
San Marino, coinage of, 1898 and 1899 337
San Salvador, industrial consumption 47
Santo Domingo, coinage of:
1898 and 1899 337
Sarawak, coinage of 1900 337
Seigniorage on coinage of silver dollars wasted, sold in sweeps, since 1890-. 26
Servia:
Coinage of, 1898 337
Production of gold and silver, details of 295
Siam, coinage of, 1898, 1899, and 1900 — 337
Siberia, gold mines of 292
Silver and gold:
Approximate distribution by States and Territories , estimate of Director . 15
Bullion in the mints and assay offices J anuary 1 , 1901 32
Coinage of world since 1873 51
Production by States, reported by agents 14
Production of mines of United States since 1860 17
Production of the world 48
Received at mints and assay offices since 1880 23
Production in the world since 1860 50
Production in the world, 1898, 1899, and 1900, tables of 338
12066—01 25
378 INDEX.
Silver: Page.
Average price of, 1900 31
Bars fiirnislied for use in the arts 33
Bars manufactured at mints and assay offices 25
Bars manufactured at mints and assay offices, tables of 310
Bullion, balance on hand January 1, 1901 27
Bullion deposited at mints and assay offices 20
Bullion in mints and assay offices 27
Bullion, value of fine ounce 31
Bullion wasted, coined, and seigniorage since 1890 26
Coinage of United States 24
Coinage of United States since 1873, weight and value 23
Coinage of various countries, 1898, 1899, and 1900, tables of 337
Course of 31
Deposits of 20
Dollars, amount, cost, average price, and bullion value since 1878 26
Highest, lowest, and average price of 31
Highest, lowest, and average price of, in London since 1833 327
Imports and exports 27
Imijorts and exports, table of 328
Market for 31
Product of mines of United States 11
Product of mines of United States since 1860 17
Product of mines of United States, approximate 12
Product of mines of United States, disposition 12
Product of mines distributed, by States and Territories 15
Product of mines reported by Mint officers and agents 14
Production of, in United States, 1898, 1899, and 1900 338
Production of, in United States, 1900 11
Production of, in United States, estimate of Director. 15
Production of, in United States, estimate of John J. Valentine 323
Production of world 48
Production of world since 1860, weight and value 50
Production in foreign countries 211
Production of France 266
Production of Greece 269
Production of Norway 287
Production of Australasia since 1851 220
Production of Canada 245
Production of Canada since 1886 246
Prodiaction of British Columbia 244
Production of British North America 239
Purchases 25
Purchase for subsidiary coin, cost of 25
Used in industrial arts in the United States. 33
Used in the industnal arts in the United States since 1880 38
Used in the industrial arts in the world. 47
South Appalachian States, production of:
Estimate of Director 15
Estimate of W. S. Clanton 14
Statistics of, by W. S. Clanton 179
South Carolina, i3roduction of:
Estimate of Director 15
Estimate of W. S. Clanton — 14
Statistics of, by W. S. Clanton 182
South Dakota, production of:
Estimate of Director 15
Estimate of F. R. Caii^enter 11
Statistics of. by F. R. Carpenter 185
Gold ores of the Black Hills, by H. M. Chance — 188
Spain:
Coinage of, 1899 and 1900 337
Mining industry of. 296
Production of gold and silver, 1898. 1899, and 1900 338
Production of gold and silver, details of^ — 295
Straits Settlements, coinage of, 1898, 1899, and 1900 ... 337
Stock of money in the United States. ^2
Subsidiary coin, cost of silver purchased for 25
INDEX.
379
Sweden: Page.
Coinage of, 1898. 1899, and 1900 337
Industrial consumption 47
Production of gold and silver, details of - 297
Prodnction of gold and silver, 1898, 1899, and 1900 338
Switzerland:
Coinage of. 1898. 1899. and 1900 337
Industrial consiimption 47
T.
Tables:
Ainoimt and cost of silver bullion purchased, used in coinage, and sold
in sweeps 316
Assets and liabilities, mints and assay offices 320
Bars, manufactured, standard ounces 310
Bars , manufactured , vahae 310
Coinage, United States 318
Coinage, United States, by institutions, since 1793 344 •
Coinage, United States, fractional and subsidiary, since 1793 341
Coinage, United States, since organization of Mint, by denominations
and value 341
Coinage, various countries, 1898, 1899, and 1900 337
Domestic coins for recoinage 313
Deposits and purchases of gold and silver, standard ounces 303
Deposits and purchases of gold and silver, value 304
Deposits of unrefined gold, standard ounces 306
Deposits of unrefined gold, value 306
Deposits of unrefined gold and silver, from organization of Mint 333
Deposits of unrefined silver, standard ounces 308
Deposits of unrefined silver, value 308
Highest, lowest, and average price of silver in London since 1833 337
Imports and exports of gold and silver 338
Production of gold and silver in the wwld from 1493 343
Production of gold and silver in the United States since 1793. 322
Production of gold and silver in the United States and Mexico, by John
J. Valentine 333
Production of gold and silver in the world, 1898, 1899, and 1900 338
Quantity and cost of metal obtained by transfer and purchase for sub-
sidiary coinage 315
Quantity and cost of silver used in coinage of silver dollars 314
Ratio of silver to gold each year since 168^7 327
Recoinage of the United States 312
Silver for subsidiary coinage 316
Unrefined domestic gold and silver deposited by States and Territories
since 1793 323
Tennessee:
Production of, estimate of Director. 15
Prodiiction of, estimate of W. S. Clanton 14
Production of, statistics of, by W. S. Clanton 184
Texas, production of, estimate of Director 15
Transvaal, production of gold 313
Tunis, coinage of, 1898, 1899, and 1900 337
Turkey:
Coinage of, 1898. 1899, and 1900 337
Production of gold and silver. 1898, 1899, and 1900 338
Production of gold and silver, details of. 298
The Gruianas, production of gold 270
I'.
United States;
Approximate disposition of silver product 13
Coinage of, 1898, 1899, and 1900 ■ 337
Coinage of, since 1873 23
Coinage of, 1900 34
Coinage, table of 318
Coinage of, since organization of Mint 341
Money, metallic and paper, location of 33
380
INDEX
United States— Continued.
Production, 1898, 1899, and 1900
Production, details of
Product of, gold and silver, estimate of Director
Product of, gold and silver, estimate of agents. .
Silver production
Stock of money ]
Use of gold and silver in industrial arts .
Uruguay, production of gold:
1898, 1899, and 1900
Details of [1^!.
Utah, production of:
Estimate of Director
Estimate of B. H. Tatem
Statistics of, by B. H. Tatem
Page.
338
9
15
14
11
32
33
338
298
15
14
191
V,
Valentine, John J., estimate of production of gold and silver in
United States and Mexico
Venezuela:
Coinage of, 1900
Production of gold, details of '
Production of gold. 1898, 1899, and 1900. '
Virginia, production of:
Estimate of Director
Estimate of W. S. Clanton ' ’ "
Statistics of, by W. S. Clanton ]
323
337
300'
338
15
14
181
Washington, production of:
Estimate of Director ^ f.
Estimate of F. A. Wing ] ]
Statistics of, by F. A. Wing igc
Wasted in coinage of silver dollars, sold in sweeps, and seigniorage since 1890 26
Witwatersrand, gold production since 1887 ' oio
Western Australia, gold production of, since 1890 oo^
World’s coinage, 1898, 1899, and 1900. . .
World’s coinage, 1898, 1899, and 1900, table of ‘ 007
World’s coinage since 1873, weight and value. 51
World’s industrial consumption of gold and silver ] ^ ^ qq
World's production of gold and silver
World s production of gold and silver since 1860, weight and value 50
World s production of gold and silver, 1898, 1899, and 1900 338
World’s production of gold and silver, details of 900
W yoming, production of, estimate of Director 5
Estimate of F. R. Carpenter . ' -i a
Statistics of, by F. R. Carpenter 0Q5
West Coast of Africa, gold imported into England since 1889 . . 213
T.
Yukon territory
Yukon and Klondike (see British North America)
58
239
Zululand, production of gold
Z.
216
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